As promised, notes to parents #1
As promised, I am writing to attempt to bridge the gap between parents and the educators that teach your children. This article includes what I believe to be the first step in parents understanding what is going on in the school system today. It will take some time parents, but I assure you that it will help you to better focus on your child’s education and needs. It is a process that teachers and administrators must go through to be ultimately successful as well.
In order to truly understand today’s education system, you must try not to compare it to the system where you were educated. So many things have changed from the top of the educational change to the bottom. I am not saying that you have to give up the lessons you learned, just that you must realize that things are drastically different even though the classrooms, books and methods of delivery may look the same. In addition, you must also realize that things are changing at a rapid rate.
If you are over 40, you may remember being young and seeing the same toys on the top of the list for Christmas. There were not many changes back then. When changes did come they were few and far between. Nowadays, a toy can be released to the public today and be obsolete in less than a month. The same is true with electronics and appliances. This is comparable to what is going on in education. The changes are coming from the top and I cannot promise you that all of the changes are good for the students. We are living in a new world. Years ago education was a state responsibility and only a federal interest. Now the federal government is dictating many of the moves in education across the country.
You need to know this so you can adequately judge what is going on at your child’s school. Keep yourself educated on what the government is doing in education and you will be ahead of the game of what is happening locally.
Next week we will begin talking about getting to know your child.
Brian J. T. Watts, Ed.S
Motivator, Educational Consultant, Student/Parent Advocate