GoUpstate.com

This is a printer friendly version of an article from www.goupstate.com
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.

Back
Article published Apr 26, 2004
School legislation is tool but won't fix all parental involvement problems

Legislation under consideration by the S.C. House won't solve all the problems of schools trying to get parents involved in their children's education, but it will set a standard and give schools a tool they can use.If the bill passes, it would set a standard in state law, requiring parents to be ac-countable and involved on a minimal level.The law allows schools to issue a subpoena to a parent who chronically refuses to meet with school officials. The provision is likely to be rarely used. But when it applies, it may turn out to be an important weapon to reach apathetic parents.And including the requirement in state law sends a clear message to all parents that the state expects them to be involved and to help their children succeed in school. Most parents understand this, but it won't hurt to put an additional emphasis on the expectation.We shouldn't expect to see many subpoenas issued or to see parents fined or sent to parent responsibility training for failing to obey the subpoena. But schools have been frustrated by parents who refuse to discuss their child's academic struggles or behavior problems. This bill would give them leverage to draw those parents into the school.Parental involvement in a child's education is one of the major determining factors toward a child's academic success. It is in the state's best interest and the interest of its children to emphasize in state law the importance of that involvement, and beyond emphasizing it, to require some standard for involvement.This is not state interference in families. It is more like laws against abuse and neglect. The state has invested much in the education of our children. It should demand that parents do their part as well.The provisions of the bill are narrowly drawn to impact only those parents who refuse three requests to meet with educators about their child. Educators can be counted on to cooperate on issues like work schedules and transportation. It is unlikely that they will abuse the law through unnecessary prosecutions.Lawmakers should pass this bill. They should give schools another tool to increase parental involvement, and they should set a standard in state law for such involvement.