Parental Accountability

In this weekly workshop series, this weeks main topics is blogging. As I already blog (however infrequently), this does feel a big pedantic, but I willingly oblige. The assignment here is to come up with an idea that is maybe controversial or stimulating and write about it. Last night in my graduate class, I think I came across a great starting point.

I often read another teacher's blog, Mr. Lee (his blog is linked on the right side of the page) and his most recent entry and poll I have found quite interesting. In fact, it has been circulating through my mind periodically. This is the concept of accountability. Who is accountable or responsible for the performance of our students?

In my second graduate class of the evening, we were discussing precisely this topic. It seemed that everyone was trying to give responsibility (or place blame, depending on how you spin it) to some figure or person in a students life. Mostly those figures included administrators, parents, teachers, politicians or students themselves. During discussion, one gentleman shucked everyone of responsibility, except for the teachers. I found this to be entirely irresponsible and quite frankly, irritating. He specifically said that students' parents are not responsible for their students academic well being because they lack to skills to be responsible.

That was the most irritating part. While parents may lack the skills to help their children with homework or even simpler tasks like acquiring notebooks or pencils, this does not relieve them of responsibilities. Lack of skill is not an acceptable excuse. I openly acknowledged that this may be a hard-nosed approach, but I think it's a hard line that needs to be drawn.

Kids learn by example. The first and foremost example from whom they may learn are their parents or guardians. So while parents may not have the skills to help their children, they should be required to figure out ways to be responsible. Some might say that jobs or familial obligations prohibit parents from participating in their child's education. Again, no excuse. This just means that a parent's priorities are not in an appropriate order.

Teachers, schools, educators, administrators, politicians and students constantly have accountability shoved down their throats, while parents are allowed to sit back and let the systems raise their child. It is disgusting and socially irresponsible. Parents should be held to the same (if not more) accountability as other figures in a students life. They had a child and they should take the appropriate responsibility to ensure that child receives a quality education.

How Do I Want to Integrate Technology into the Class This Semester?

I want to communicate with my students the way they communicate with each other. Whether it is texting, emailing, calling or whatever it may be, any method aside from the usual chalk and talk is left to be desired.

The arrival of the second semester has begun with a sense of refreshment. New norms for behavior and performance can be established. Students have a clean slate in regard to their grades. For both of us, it is a chance to make changes so that the upcoming semester may be more successful than the last.

I would eventually like to get computers into my lesson plans so that students may use their technology-oriented skills to demonstrate their learning in my class. While I know behavioral issues may be the largest challenge while implementing this, I think it may work out better for all of us at the end of the semester.