There are good studies supporting the use of parent involvement studies to improve student achievement.  The studies demonstrate improvements across all cultures and socioeconomic groups.  It's a necessary component of developing a culture of learning that will support student development throughout the learning process.

There are also many options for schools wanting to improve parent involvement.  Programs that have been studied and seem to work, such as programs that use the net to communicate and require grade and assignment checks as well as those that build ties between teachers and parents.

In some cases, improved parent involvement may not be possible but mentoring can go a long way in filling the gap.  It would be nice to see the local schools working to improve the situation by examining such options.

parents should speak out against the standardized testing madness. the board of education meetings are a good place to start - the fourth tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm at 1300 baker street.

my friend's daughter goes to school with children who are homeless, from one parent families, are left unattended while mom works her butt off to keep them off the street. some parents are just gang-bangers. some kids seem to be abused. some parents simply are lazy. some are like me and should be more involved, but are not.

with that reality, i think schools more realistically should be teaching kids how to be good people, who positive role models are, how to take care of themselves (safety/health), how to help other people and prepare for their future, and more. this trend used to be called character education. it got a bad name because people said the schools were trying to tell their kids what to think.

somebody needs to!. i think that kids are getting most of their character development from faulty and questionable tv and movie and music personalities or from each other. the schools need to step in and offer some better role models and ideas. people say kids have to learn the basics first, but kids can't learn anything if they are hungry, lonely, desperate, or scared.  parents generally are not providing the support that would help kids deal with these feelings, for many reasons.

we need to stop blaming the teachers, change the testing model toward something that helps kids more fundamentally, and get more involved, each one of us. as written above, the children are the future.

That and the use of schools to indoctrinate, the children with special interest groups ideologies is just going to drive every loving parent who can afford to; out of the public schools and into private or home schooling.  But then they will just pass a law that all kids must attend public schools and maybe house the in dormitories so they are not exposed to any contradictory influence.  California Uber Allis.

P.S. Tell us about Iceland

Great post, Carlalafong, and some good takes on our most puzzling dilemma.

no puzzle

liberal socialistic ideologies have failed all around the globe

examples abound

and yet while most of the world is trending more toward capitalism and increased individual responsibility, we are going the other way

in 2009 I suspect this trend will be accelerated

greatly!

Interesting post Carla~ teachers have my utmost thanks for the job they do and the sacrifices they make.