|
|
In the Spotlight
And they Said This
School
Would be Perfect!
Parents today face challenges of choosing
appropriate schools
By Dr. Melanie Johnson
With the accessibility of school
vouchers and choice, parents have many more options in regard to
which school is most appropriate for their children. Whether public or
private, there are many more
prospects to review before registering your child for school.
It is generally around this time of the school year, after the first
semester, when parents who have
opted to enroll their children in a new school are exploding with
anguish or applauding their choice
of their children’s new school. The following are a few tips to
consider before you choose a new
school in order to make good choices for your particular child’s needs:
Consider the Whole Child
As with any service or product, word-of-mouth marketing is the most
effective means of advertising
a school. Many parents’ choices of schools begin with a
recommendation from a neighbor, co-worker,
or friend. Those qualities that might be perfect for someone else’s
child might not fulfill the
expectations of you and your own child.
Ask yourself the
following questions before considering the referral
source’s recommendation:
1) Does the school’s environment support the emotional and social needs
of my child?
2) Is there immediate extra support for my child’s academic
weaknesses?
3) Does the school appropriately monitor behavior/emotions and act on
cases of bullying or exclusion?
4) Are my expectations reasonable, considering student/pupil ratios,
funding, and school mission and
school official philosophies?
5) Are there better choices?
Don’t hesitate to ask
During school interviews or parent/teacher conferences, in an attempt
to avoid invading the teacher’s
territory of responsibilities for students, parents more often than not
stick to routine and anticipated
questions. Questions like, “How is Johnny doing?” or “How can we assist
him at home?” These
questions should be coupled with inquiries on how both the parent and
school can most
effectively support your child’s specific needs.
Questions such as, “Do you have any alternative teaching methods that
may assist my child more
thoroughly?” or “Have you compared the effects of less homework with
that of what is currently
being assigned?” A well-trained educator should have or be willing to
obtain these answers for you.
Try and Stick it out
Children who are new to a school are challenged by more social issues
than strictly academic issues.
However, since learning is a social process, the socio-emotional well
being of your child may impede
his/her learning a bit in the beginning. There is much to be said about
staying the course for the
remainder of the school year. Students may find a social niche typically
difficult initially, but overtime
they may become more aware and accustomed to its demands of him/her.
If this is the case, try to encourage your child to stay in the school
by assuring him/her that you are
fully connected to the teachers and administrators and that you will be
there to provide support until
he or she demonstrates that he/she requires less. This will provide the
security that he/she needs
when feeling left out or inadequate.
Do Not Face it Alone
The large amounts of homework that children often face today can be
extremely taxing on family
evenings. Although all well-meaning parents would like to assist their
children with assignments,
outsourcing homework help is not a sign of an uninvolved parent. Give
yourself a break from trying
to do it all. Do not allow yourself to accept the historical excuse that
“If your mother did it,
you can, too!”
Today’s student arrives home with files of homework and forms that
practically require a bookkeeper
to fill out and sign, maintain important dates, as well as complete the
infinite list of assignments.
Hire a tutor or academic coach to assist your child if it’s needed.
These services can cost anything
from zero dollars at a local not-for-profit organization to up to $70.00
per hour for private tutors or
coaches, with the average cost falling in the middle
range. One to two hour sessions per week should suffice for most
grade-level or slightly remedial
learners.
Be an Advocate for
Change
Do not be afraid to suggest changes that will improve the school’s
effectiveness. However, be
certain that the changes you suggest are those that will positively
impact the experiences of the
majority of children, not just your child’s own experiences. Also,
follow proper communications
protocol by providing recommendations or change proposals to teachers
first, then administrators
and the Parent Teacher Association.
Do not assume you are being overbearing, but also keep in mind that
while having a voice for
change is admirable, there is no justice in stirring up more harm than
good. If your suggestion ends
up being a part of a gossip chain and/or requires far too many meetings
that distract the teachers
or administrators from educating, you might want to fold your wishes and
consider a school
that is more in line with your expectations and child’s needs the
following school year.
Follow-Up
It is imperative that you follow up on your requests and proposals. If
you recognize improvement,
it is good to let school officials know that you are pleased with the way
the situations have been
managed. If the school has not provided any feedback of change, be sure
and remind them.
Schools have long since been community entities and the voices for all
concerned stakeholders,
parents and teachers alike, have led to the many productive changes that
schools have incorporated.
The needs of one student often reflect the needs of many students. It is
necessary for schools to
consider the expectations provided by its officials, parents and
community to improve and expand
policies, procedures and services. You should continually ensure that
your voice is heard for the
good of your child and others.
Lastly, it’s always sound advice to visit the school many times before
you make your final decision.
During the visit, always ask direct and necessary questions, and share
your vision and expectations
with key personnel. This way, you’ll be more fully aware of that for which
you have bargained
before it is too late.
|
|
/indexH1.jpg)
