Let me start by saying that I am all for parental involvement in school. I worked in a preschool, and I recently became a substitute for middle school and high school. I think it is important for parents to be involved in their children’s education, but I also think a Texas lawmaker may just be taking things too far.
Representative Wayne Smith, a Republican no less, has sponsored a bill to criminalize parents who miss a scheduled meeting with a teacher, or fail to schedule one after being notified, unless they have a “reasonable excuse.” There is currently no definition for what a reasonable excuse might be, but the definition will likely be left to the schools. If the bill passes, parents would be charged with a misdemeanor, fined $500.00, and would then have a criminal record.
Do you think this will actually force parents to be better parents? Will it make them suddenly start caring about their children, or about their education, if they don’t already? Is it possible to legislate care and concern?
One teacher commented that this was probably not a good way to encourage parents to get more involved. In fact, it may well create more intimidation and apprehension when dealing with schools, if they suddenly have the power to make parents into criminals.
Besides the fact that such a measure flies in the face of freedom and despite the fact that it won’t accomplish what it sets out to do, it also punishes the victim. If parents are fined $500.00, that’s less money to spend caring for the child.
I’ve also noted that many teachers, especially in the upper grades, are rarely available for conferences in the first place. Schools here now require parents to sign a sheet when they attend a conference, and some teachers don’t even show up. They simply leave the sign-in sheet hanging on the classroom door or leave it on the table where the meeting is scheduled to be held.
Suppose you show up and can’t find the sheet, or it’s already full, then what? If Rep. Smith has his way, you’ll be a criminal.
What say you?
Please leave a comment or visit the forum thread on this topic to share your thoughts.
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