Teachers are held to high standards, but parents do not have any responsibilities toward their own childrens education. Parents do not come to conferences, PTA meetings, or school events. In order for teachers to hold high expectations for their students, parents must also expectl the most out of their children. If parents do not care about their child's education, then the child does not see the importance of learning. When are parents going to bare some responsibilities for their child's grades, tests scores, or progress in llearning?

 Parents do, indeed, own some responsibility for their child's learning. We see parents who are more like children than their kids sometimes. Sad really.

On the flip side, we see a lot of people in the community who expect the teachers to be the end all to beat all and yet they think we are all on "easy street." The respect for what a teacher does is all but lost. :(

Teachers are professionals, just like doctors, lawyers, policemen & firemen, but we don't get the respect or the pay because we are often perceived as "part-time" slackers who are milking the system. It is very disheartening for a teacher when parents think we don't do much. :( Over 40 years of research proves that the more engagement between parents, students & teachers, the better the chances the child will grow to be a well-balanced adult who can make valid choices.

Sadly, parents will not be held accountable until WE do so!!!

Yes, that would mean that we turn the tables and tell the parents what we expect AND FOLLOW THROUGH. It is like the one teacher who reminds the students that there is no gum in the classroom. Ironically, those students come to respect that rule. However, each day, they spit out their gum as they enter... that means that teachers are allowing students to chew gum in other rooms. When we ask our peers what they are doing we get responses like, 'I have to pick my battles'.

Sadly, we are in a constant battle. We must state expectations and then follow through. If it is a written rule and we follow through we must request our administaration back us up.

The other day a parent stomped into my school all upset because I stated that if we could not have a civil face to face, I would have to remove their child from a program. The parent was told that they needed to respect the teacher and asked when they were going to schedule the face to face conference in order to keep their child in the program. Just as students, we must be consisitent AND we must not give up!

As a high school teacher and parent I can tell you with certainty that, TEACHERS and/or schools cannot EVER be the solution alone, no matter how much money we pump into it. EMPOWERING kids, as you share, is the solution. That MUST involve parents in ways and levels that we don’t seem to be understanding.

          As we look to politicians and policy makers to fix this suffocating dinosaur of education, we are losing MILLIONS of our future adults to apathy and lack of focus. A teacher (like me) with 185 UNIQUE teens per DAY in my classroom, cannot be expected to approach something of this magnitude.  Especially when I do not, nor cannot, EVER know what all those kids need. It is ludicrous to continue believing that teachers can adjust learning in that way, especially when empowering our kids to take this responsibility ultimately helps them in every aspect of their lives. Parents still think that if they can't help their kids with Geometry for example, they are out of the loop!
          The answer isn’t rocket-science. It is simple and inexpensive. The problem is that it is messy, takes TIME, sacrifice of our free-time and rolling up our sleeves, as parents to do this incredibly challenging work of coaching our kids to 21^st century adulthood!

           We all know that more education improves earning potential AND that middle class jobs that will REQUIRE post-secondary education are rising, while blue-collar jobs are shrinking. Even the high school drop outs know that...but they find school irrelevant. CLEARLY, the missing link is helping our kids internalize the motivation and abilities needed to respect and value for what education offers them. THEN they will and can learn anything we offer. We have to EMPOWER kids to learn for themselves and how to do that successfully…and invest in the WORK that takes! We do NOTHING concrete to help kids understand WHY high school must be taken seriously and HOW education impacts their future options and WHAT they want to do with their lives. It all boils down to helping them see early enough that THEY will eventually be responsible for their own lives. We wait WAY too long to make education relevant. We keep trying to make it ENTERTAINING for them and there are many more entertaining things than old, dusty teachers offering old dusty curriculum!

          As a teacher and widowed mother of 3, I became so concerned with this that I stopped waiting for everyone else to fix this. I started to build a bridge between what schools/can and should offer to better prepare our kids to taking the reigns of their life as adults and building success for THEMSELVES.
       I started in my classroom (and my dining room table with my own tweens and their friends) asking honest questions, gathering TONS of research and listening to it all. The outcome of my decade long obsession and work with thousands of teens AND parents is a workbook project, called Get totally Real! a journey of self-discovery and life planning for 21st century teenagers. When parents began reaching out and asking for ways to be more involved in the transformation their children were experiencing, I created a Parent Companion that gives parents tools to begin this work.
         I know I am just one parent/teacher with one tool, but I know that it is working for my students and many others. My students for years have been telling me I need to find ways to share this with ‘the whole world’. I hesitated because I feared people might think I was trying to make money off of kids/parents…They told me to do what was right and not worry what other think. So…here you are.

Okay...I am probably an exception to the rule of the parent that never does anything.  I work hard in and out of the home.  And, I also ask for the curriculum and scope and sequence from each of my four children...Every teacher...Every subject...I keep them (when I do get them which is infrequent and not without a fight) in a three ring notebook in my kitchen.  Why in the kitchen...Because everyone has to eat and sometimes after dinner, it is necessary to bring up school and I can point to what my children are supposed to do in school.  Many times teachers do not go by the scope or curriculum and are not just a couple of weeks behind but up to a month/ month and a half behind.  Many times administrators have developed a relationship with teachers where they can not see that the teacher does anything wrong.  Right at this moment I have sent several messages to different teachers and administrators because the teachers take (on average 3 to 10 days) to return emails and calls.  I have documented this and nothing gets done.  I am so sick and tired of the same ole same ole.  I have taken things into my own hands and contacted a wealthy school district (I live in a wealthy neighborhood in a middle school district) and gotten their curriculum and scope from the internet.  Not suprising they are 18 months ahead of our curriculum and Scope and Sequence.  I hold my children on a scale that is comparable to the wealthy suburb.  I do not accept anything less.  I actually pay for my children to be tested.  They are ahead of the state tests but I do have the international tests administered to my children out of my own pocket.  

I am in the process of totally giving up on the public school system and turning to the local private school.  For my four children, I am looking at 20K a year, for which I am going back into the corporate arena and  I plan on ramping up my small business too.  Two jobs.  I'm so tired.  I thought by moving to a wealthy neighborhood, I would be able to escape the apathy on the part of the teachers.  Different school district and same ole issues.  I still encouter resistance and disrespectfulness...The teflon sydrome that many teachers have..."I've been here forever and I can't be replaced."  I'm just tired.  You wanna read about my dramas....Just follow me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/cedarhillmom @cedarhillmom

First, a response for Cedar Hill.

In Texas, teachers are easily fireable.  Very easily fireable.  In fact a brand new teacher in Texas can be fired for being black or refusing to be a fluffer for the administration in the first three years of service.  Yes, I am being literal and serious.  Claiming teachers have "teflon syndrome" in Texas is wrong.  Teachers can be fired if the administration wants them to be.  So not every teacher feels like they have job security.

A stated scope and sequence is not an actual scope and sequence.  The tests in Texas have been 2 years behind for years.  Not until next year will they finally be "on-level".  So our Algebra II classes have rarely been Algebra II classes. More like advanced Algebra I classes.  Our administrators having usually been history, elementary, or other non-technical teachers who can't even tell that the material has been dumbed down.  Or know and understand that this has been happenning in Texas school for decades.

I have never, Never, NEVER met a parent like you in my life.  I've only heard stories about you like unicorns and vampires.  I somewhat doubt you even exist.  I've been teaching for nearly a decade.

I will only hear from 90% Parents when their kid is failing.  I will hear from 6% of parents when their kid is making a C or a B.  I actually get to meet 4% of parents at open house.

I would have to say that at least 90% of phone calls and communication are initiated by me.

I try to call back parents the same day of getting the phone call.

So,  I'm a teacher.  I hear from a parent about how the scope and sequence isn't being followed.  I have two choices.

1.  Actually follow the Scope and Sequence and watch as my unprepared students fail. I then get flak from lots of parents for their kids failing.  The administration hates me too because their favorite football player can't play anymore.   I lose my job and pension. 

2.  Get a single parent upset about the scope and sequence.  Submit misleading paperwork to the administration showing state mandated scope and sequence is being followed.  They're happy.  They have no clue why you're not.  You get labeled a "problem parent".  I keep my job.

Seriously, what choice do I have?

What can you do?  Immediately, nothing.  In the long term, you can make sure state tests test the proper scope and sequence beginning in elementary school and continue this through to high high school.  This is a decade long process but in the end Schools will be forced to improve or forced to be labeled as a failing school.

Believe it or not, administrators hate this.   They will be heavily motivated to find teachers who enable students to meet the new standards.  Then you won;t have to send your kids to private school.

I'm here in the flesh.  Some of us parents care.  I return teachers' calls in a prompt manner but I have to wait for emails and calls to me.  Many parents that feel the same way I do. They just simply find a new school district or put their kids in private or homeschool.  Most of my buddies homeschool or they put their kids in private school.  I'm African American with four kids with the reputation of my kids will not fail.  I was given old COGAT's and other tests to administered to my kids because I don't trust the school districts.  I saved up the $200.00 to have another person administer my kids various tests.  They are offered on Saturdays at Testing Centers and homeschool bookstores all over Dallas/ Fort Worth. I really live in Cedar Hill, Texas.  I'm still waiting for emails and phone calls to be returned.  I found mis-calculations in the online system that calculate grades.  They had to change my eldest daughter's grades because of the miscalculations.  The only reason why I could point out their errors is because I save all their graded work.  (They are not required to tell the parent or administrator whether or not they keep an additional gradebook).  And, I took screen shots of online grade system.  Oh yeah, several teachers those teachers enter 100's then changing her grades because they have missed their deadlines.  They felt is was a better option then the 0 that the system calculated.  I'm pretty sure the administrator made them aware of this.  It's kinda like I'll watch your back and you watch mine.  We need to appease her (me)  so she won't petition to be a part of the Board Agenda.  I had exhausted the hiarchy with exception of the school board.  But right at this moment, I'm giving up.  I'm tired.  I'm here in the flesh.  There are a few of us.  I know I'm the exception to the rule.  I actually work with my kids on their lessons. I had to learn to "play the game".  But, I'm burnt out.  I'm giving up and moving my kids to a private school or I will homeschool.  It becomes crazy to spend all my energy tracking down teachers and dealing with teachers and administrators just collecting a check.  I'm not saying that all teachers and administrators are like this.  But, my oldest is 12 and every since I moved her and the rest of my kids to public school...It has been a uphill battle.  I have been dissatisfied at the reactionary mode that schools live in.  It's crazy.  And, I'm tired.

Oh yeah...As far as unicorns...I don't think that I can fit my size 20 butt in a unicorn suit.  (Giggles in a good spirit).  I know you meant well.  I just break the sterreotype all around.  My husband and I have been married for almost 14 years. And he yes he is biological father of all our children. I had all of them in Dallas, Texas hospitals (Baylor, Presbyterian, Medical City, and Baylor)   I bring all of this up because there are sterreotypes out there.  And, just because you may have not encoutered a parent like me; doesn't mean we don't exist.  

I can tell you I'm real...I'm reading this and my other posts thinking...I should have spell checked.   (And, my avatar has a young pic of our two youngest ones).  If you go to twitter, you'll see that I deal with articulation issues with my youngest daughter in the picture. I'm controversial.  And yes very real.   http://twitter.com/cedarhillmom

I know that it would not make sense to appeal to one "crazy parent" such as myself.  I ask for the scope in order keep my kids on task with the school.  I get the scope and tests from the wealthier school districts and International locations because I know that they will be my children's competition.  I need to communicate and teach my kids on that level.  I no longer expect teachers to teach my kids.  It's just easier that way.  I use the Cedar Hill scope (I use) as a refresher.  But if I ask for Scope and Curriculum, why can't you supply it?  I didn't know that I was asking for something special.   I will even give you the paper...I will make the copies...Work with me...I'll leave my Driver's License in order to make you feel more secure about giving me a copy.  In fact, I'll even digitize it for you so you can take it home. I have a nice scanner.

Teachers put obstacles out there when it is crazy.  I could go explain all of the crazy things that have happened in public school but it's just a waste of time.  They are not going to change until their jobs will be affected.  I'm just fed up and I know I'm not the only one.  I get late night calls from parents wanting to know what they should do.  Where do I go to test my child who is failing every class?  Who is a good tutor?  My child has a behavior problem because he/she is bored, how do I get he/she in gifted classes?  Where are the best charters? What colleges offer dual enrollment for HS students? What do colleges want to see in admissions?  Who is the best college admission specialists in this area? I get these calls and more.

So I am real.  I live here in Cedar Hill, Texas and I am determined to see my kids succeed.  Failure is not an option.  

Sincerely,

Cedar Hill Mom

 Allow me to give some advice in finding schools in Texas.  Some things you may be interested in as well.

Cedar Hill is not rich.  Over half of the students at Cedar Hill are getting government assistance to eat.

The Middle schools in Cedar Hill are considered by the state of Texas to be academically acceptable as is the main high school.   Academically acceptable is like making a C in a class.  The schools are barely meeting requirements on tests which are up to 2 years behind.  

In Texas, middle schools tend (not always) to house the worst teachers, principals, buildings, funding, etc.  Everyone wants to be an elementary school teacher or a high school teacher.  Almost no one aspires to be a Jr. High teacher.  I would complain every time a teacher takes longer than two business days to respond.  As far as scope and sequence - Remember these schools are just barely keeping up with the mandated tests.  That means most of the children are very behind.  If they truly and really kept up with scope and sequence, half the kids would fail and have to repeat the 8th grade. Any scope and sequence they have is camoflage for what is actually being taught.

English and history teachers are easy to replace.  They should be most likely to respond quickly to your requests.  Math and Science teachers tend to be far harder to replace.  You may want to ask about the qualifications of the teachers involved as they may have not been able to hire qualified candidates.  However, Math and Science teachers will be replaced if enough complaints are made by numerous parents.  A single parent usually won't do it, not unless you sit on the school board or know a school board member.  So you may want to go to a Parent Teacher Organization and meet some other parents to see if they have the same feeling about the teacher or principal. 

Almost every teacher in Texas has yearly contracts and almost every teacher has to reappointed to a new contract at the end of March.  For the first three years, their contract can be non-renewed for any reason and I mean any reason.  After that, a reasonable cause has to be documented and given.  Taking a week to answer parents' e-mails would probably be sufficient if the administration wanted to get rid of the teacher.  However, the administration might not want to get rid of the teacher for other reasons.  One might be the difficulty in finding a replacement teacher in the appropriate subject.  My school has actually had students learn subjects over the internet.  I also teach math to a school 40 miles away from the school I teach at.  Another might the success the teacher has had in getting kids to pass the state tests.  There are numerous reasons for an administrator to keep a "bad" teacher.  But if the choice is between the principal's job or the teacher's job, the principal will choose to get rid of the teacher every time.  Even teaching math for 8 years at the same school, I always cross my fingers to see if I've been cut at the end of March due to budgetary or other reasons.

Remember, no teacher unions in Texas.  No unemployment payments if we lose our jobs.  We are contract workers appointed every year by a school board which is directly elected by the people.  (Most school boards in large schools let the administration handle the day-to-day hiring and firing.  They don't have to.)  If a school board doesn't get rid of a teacher, it's because they don't want want to.  Or are incompetent.

As far as schools. Your district seems to track students in high school.  If you care about your children's education, make sure they attend Cedar Hill Collegiate High School which seems to be a far better school.  I don't even want to think about what the other high school is like.

There are many early college programs in Texas.  If Cedar Hill doesn't have one, you might want to look into programs sponsored by the University of North Texas.

As far as rigorous schools which teach to the upper levels, I think you went the wrong way. I think you should have gone to the northern part of Dallas, not the southern part.

I said I moved to a wealthy neighborhood.  I never said the school district was rich...And, by the way...Never said I went to Cedar Hill ISD in fact I don't.  (I use to...the we moved to a different area of Cedar Hill).  In fact there are three possible school districts for the residents of Cedar Hill.  I live in Cedar Hill but I never said which school district.  But all three are terrible.  I've personally experience 2 out of the 3.

Now as far as Cedar Hill school district is not rich because most of the residents send their kids elsewhere and other cities forge documents to get into Cedar Hill.  And, if you look at the new census for 2010 you'll see that we have a pretty high per capta income ratio considering we are in a depression...ooops meant recession.  Higher than most areas nearby.  Which means that there are a significant amount parents that are not sending their kids to the nearby school.  When the homeschool association has a football team and other athletics, band, trying to build an athletic complex, and competes in the private school league that tells you that there are a significant amount of kids not going to the local school.  Most of my neighbors think I'm crazy for sending my kids to the public school.  I'm trying to get my money's worth.  I already pay taxes. The school is poor because (in some cases) the parents making money are not sending their kids to the nearby school.  

And, the Collegiate High is a chartered public school operated by the district so there are no residence restrictions.  I have looked at it as a possibility but I never see anything about Music program there so that's probably out.  I have a sax player at home and she loves it. The regular high school is scary. Scary. SCARY.  

The community of Cedar Hill is making money.  A lot of folks are not sending their kids to the nearby schools.  And, I'm about to be one of them.  The school buses in my neighborhood are empty.  I may see about 5-7 students waiting on the bus for all grades. Altogether in my neighborhood...(I'm by the bus stops)

I've looked at the early college programs. We're picking Texas Tech its flexible and allows for distance learning.  Plus they are homeschool friendly. (Which is one of my options). I appreciate your suggestions.  And, lastly every year I wait for teachers to give me calls and emails back.  It takes on average 7 to 10 school days for answers and this is only after I call the principal and contact ISD administration.  And, last I looked (since Friday) I haven't gotten an answer to why there is a blank where there should be an average for my oldest daughter.  I thought when I moved to the other side of Cedar Hill where my kids would not have to go to Cedar Hill...I wouldn't have this issue.  But alas...I am. 

I would like to thank everyone for your thoughts and hopefully your prayers.  I did hear from a teacher (it wasn't the core teachers that I was emailing)...It was the Band Director that I BCC all the emails to.  He was able to help me get (at least) the grading information.  I am asking for any of you that read these another posts that there are concerned parents out there.  We are here.  Don't lump all parents into one catagory because of the hurt, humiliation and other situations prompted by other parents.  We attend everything at the school.  I'm tired of being lumped into a catagory of parents not caring.  I care.  I am a parent that has created a file with all the emails that go unanswered, that records all of the phone messages that go unreturned and so on and so forth by teacher and administrators.  I'm just fed up.  I'm not a fairy, I am a real person that lives in a community call Cedar Hill, Texas.  Yes the schools are comprised of students (mostly on free lunch) and over crowded schools.  Very few in my area send their students to public school.  In fact they think I'm crazy.  They marvel at the fact I send my kids to public school.  They ask if "I'm scared." or "concerned."  The major Homeschool association nearby has music, athletic, cheerleading and etc programs.    The Homeschool Association has a competitive football team that is currently in the private school league or TAPPS. So tell me...If the homeschool association nearby has a lot of kids...Our charter school  (2nd year in operation) is full and has kids wait-listed...Private schools are full...Then hmmm maybe I'm not the only parent that is fed up.  In fact there is a lot of us.  Maybe the numbers in public school that are on free lunch do not adequately reflect the actual socio-economics of Cedar Hill, Texas.  So, ever so quietly, they moved their kids out of a regular ISD public school.