by Jessi Michaels

Created on: October 17, 2009   Last Updated: October 18, 2009

It is a sad commentary that this debate needs to be a debate at all. One would hope that parents would have an active interest in their children's education without having to be nudged. The ugly truth however, is that we do have to have this debate because there are too many children who are without support in their education. It is a rippling effect that begins with too many parents not being involved in the fundamental human needs of their children.

As a teacher, and I am sure I have plenty of back-up here, I see children come to school each day, tired, hungry, therefore, totally unprepared to learn. They are too young to attend to many of their own needs and they do not have a responsible adult to so do so for them. It is heartbreaking. Children take their cues from their parents or caregivers. If they are interested and show enthusiasm and support for the child's needs, so too will the child. On the other hand, if there is an apathetic behavior towards the child's need, that too becomes obvious in the child.

If we want children to do better in school, if we want children to stand a better chance at a productive, healthy life their parents must become involved. They must develop an interest or at the very least seem interested, so that the child feels worthy and that school and life become important. Engaging parents that seem uninterested or uncaring in their child's education need to be pulled into their lives sometimes kicking and screaming. Encouraging uninvolved adults is extremely difficult. The truth is that in many cases, this has to be done as if they are small children who need to be led into the classroom on the first day of school. Anything that works without force must be tried.

Parent Social Night:

Inviting parents into the school for an evening of refreshments, and socializing with other parents is a start. Get them in the building, that is step one. This is not a night of meeting and talking with teachers, though representative selections of friendly staff should be included. There will be no long lectures by administration rather those parents who understand the fragile nature of this situation will have the chance to speak. No blaming, no finger shaking, only positive behavioral tactics should be used. If you ever want these parents to voluntarily come back, do not shame them away.

Inform parents of areas where their participation would be appreciated.

Show off some of the really amazing things going on at the different grade levels.

Bond, so there is that feeling of a united cause they can belong to.

Leave literature around for parents to take home and read about statistics of success with children who have support at home compared to those that do not.

Sign up sheets for upcoming events or classroom helpers, even for parties.

Do anything to entice and excite them into the school even for a day. That day will mean so much to their child.

In a perfect world, we would not be having this discussion. We would not need to lure the parents of children to promote and activate an interest in their needs. This, however, is reality; this is what we have to work with and the well-being of those children are at stake. To me and I know to so many others this is truly a call to duty.

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