Getting Parents to Exercise Their Rights Is the Highest Form of Parent Involvement
Matt Hancock teaches second grade at Bridge City Elementary, a Title I school where 99% of the children are eligible for free or reduced lunches. Over the years, Matt has grown increasingly restive with his school’s lack of efforts to increase student achievement and turn around its reputation as a “failing” school. The state legislature recently passed a “parent trigger law,” giving parents the right to intervene in a struggling school and, among other things, give them the option to replace the principal—which Matt thinks ought to happen at his school. As Matt explains it, “There has to be shared responsibility between schools and parents for high student achievement. My kids are trapped in a failing school, and I want to make a difference. Getting the parents to exercise their legal rights is the highest form of parent involvement.” On the other side of the issue, the district teachers’ union is against the implementation of any parent trigger law provision. In fact, the president of the union has warned Matt, “Don’t get involved!”
What should Matt do? Try to work with the union to get some much-needed improvements in his school? Or should Matt take another course of action? Matt thinks he has no choice but to “take the issue public and get the local press involved.” What would you advise Matt to do?
Full Answer Section
- Meet with the school principal and the district superintendent. Explain the parents' concerns and why they are considering using the parent trigger law. See if there is any way to address these concerns without resorting to the law.
- Work with the teachers' union. The union may be opposed to the parent trigger law, but they may be willing to work with the parents to improve the school.
- Get the local press involved. Publicity can be a powerful tool for bringing about change. If the parents are able to get the local press to write about the school's problems, it could put pressure on the school to make improvements.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use the parent trigger law is up to the parents. However, Matt can play a valuable role in educating the parents about the law and helping them make an informed decision.
Here are some additional things to consider:
- The parent trigger law is a controversial issue, and there are strong arguments on both sides. It is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision.
- The parent trigger law is a powerful tool, but it should not be used lightly. It is important to make sure that the parents are truly committed to using the law and that they have a plan for what they will do if they are successful.
- The parent trigger law can be a disruptive process, and it is important to be prepared for the challenges that may come up.
Sample Answer
I understand Matt's frustration with his school's lack of progress and his desire to make a difference. The parent trigger law is a powerful tool that can be used to improve schools, but it is important to use it carefully and thoughtfully.
I would advise Matt to do the following:
- Talk to other parents at his school. Find out what they think about the school's performance and the parent trigger law. Are they interested in using the law? What are their concerns?
- Gather data on the school's performance. This could include test scores, graduation rates, and attendance rates. This data will help Matt and the other parents make a case for why the school needs to be improved.