We all want our children to learn from the best teachers. Parents often feel powerless, however, to make it happen. This is one of the biggest public education issues right now. So is parent teacher communication.
Here are three ways to improve parent involvement in education and influence the quality of teachers:
1. Make sure schools hire good teachers in the first place. Schools vary widely in how much they involve parents in hiring decisions depending what type of school it is. Check out the public school policy or private school bylaws. If so, volunteer to serve and then learn all you can about what parents in your community want from teachers.
If parents are not invited to help make hiring decisions, encourage your district or school to offer incentives for teachers who continually improve their skills. For example, some school districts offer rewards to teachers who seek certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). These standards help parents measure what teachers should know and be able to do.
2. Encourage teachers to go "back-to-school." The National Partnership for Excellence and Accountability (NPEAT) has studied the research on how schools improve and change. Their conclusion? The best way to improve the quality of teaching and learning is to help teachers to do their jobs better. Investing in professional development (teaching and supporting teachers on the job) is one of the most effective ways to change schools; nothing less will ensure a qualified teacher in every classroom.
When evaluating your kids' schools, ask the principal what kinds of opportunities teachers have to improve their teaching. If teachers just attend conferences or hear visiting speakers, experts say they may not be learning much!
Groups that study teacher quality agree that good professional development:
- Focuses on what students are to learn and how to help struggling students succeed.
- Compares the differences between what students can do and what they should be able to do (based on school standards).
- Allows teachers to choose what and how they will learn.
- Happens within the school building during the day-to-day work of teaching.
- Allows them to share struggles and ideas with other teachers.
- Provides continuous learning, follow-up, support and outside resources.
- Helps them make good choices about goals, theories and curriculum.
- Offers opportunities to understand the theories behind the methods they learn.
- Connects to other school practices that will improve the way students learn.
3. Refuse to tolerate poor teaching. William J. Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education and co-author of the book, "The Educated Child," suggests some steps you can take if you suspect your child's teacher is unqualified:
- Understand the problem.
- Meet first with the teacher.
- Take it to the next level if you don't find success.
- Prepare your case well; include documentation.
- Be patient and persistent.
- Transfer to another teacher, if necessary.
- Keep moving up the ladder if you don't have success.
- Gather support from other parents.
Linda Wacyk is a former EduGuide editor from Grand Ledge, Michigan. Robert J. Wittmann contributed to this report.