Parents Play a Key Role in the Education of their Children.
The Texas Education Code, Chapter 4 states:
"...a successful public education system is directly related to a strong, dedicated, and supportive family and that parental involvement in the school is essential for the maximum educational achievement of a child."
I noticed the use of powerful terms such as:
Directly related to,
Essential,
Maximum, and
Strong Family.
The law continues:
"Objective 1: Parents will be full partners with educators in the education of their children."
Not just partners, full partners. Chapter 26 of the Texas Education Code elaborates:
"Parents are partners with educators, administrators, and school district boards of trustees in their children's education. Parents shall be encouraged to actively participate in creating and implementing educational programs for their children."
I'm not a lawyer, but I'm fairly certain "shall be" means it's required.* Does this fit your experience at your children's campuses? Have you been encouraged to be involved in the creating of educational programs, etc? And:
"Each board of trustees shall cooperate in the establishment of ongoing operations of at least one parent-teacher organization at each school in the district to promote parental involvement in school activities."
Over and over, parental involvement is identified as being KEY to the success of children in school. The IMPORTANCE of PARENTS across all aspects of our children's lives can't be overstated.
Take a Moment to Look at your Experience. Some Ideas:
1) Are you a full partner with educators (Teachers, Campus Administrators, and
Counselors), or are there things you can do to strengthen or affirm that partnership?
2) How are your views being heard? Do you read staff communications?
3) Are you routinely asked for input by campus staff?
4) If you have engaged with campus staff, was it win-win? Why/why not?
5) Does learning more about what Texas law give you encouragement to engage in
new or different ways as full partners?
I suppose Kayaking could be a metaphor for this topic. Parents and Campuses paddling in full partnership leads to a smoother ride for our children's education. For example, each partner should communicate, pay attention, and call out when an obstruction is spotted ahead, so that we can work together to get around it.
Back in my day, principals used "paddles" instead of oars, but that's a story for another time. - Steve
*Again, this blog is not legal advice. It's just bringing a few laws to your attention that, I hope, are informative and encouraging. Click here to read Chapter 4 of the Texas Education Code. Click here to read Chapter 26.
Read Part I here and Part II here.
Part IV: Access to your child's records...