Should parents be fined for not attending school confrences

[Jo]

There is a bill in Texas proposing that.
More Information (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070201/ap_on_re_us/parents_fined)

[Kristen]

I dunno...my first reaction is that it would be a bad idea.

[gr8mommy]

I don't think it would be effective. The very parents they are trying to reach would probably be the first to blame the child when they got fined---"if you were doing better in school I wouldn't have to be meeting with the teacher!".

[Kristi]

I don't know on the one hand I see at as bad because some parents would put it all on their kids for having to go. On the other hand I think it is important that a parent take interest in their child's education and know what is going on with them. But if they do not care enough to attend the conferences in the first place whose to say forcing them to is going to be of any help either. I really do not think it is a good idea.

[Christi]

I don't necessarily think it is something to be legislated, but I wish they'd at least call to cancel!! LOL

[Desirae]

Sounds silly to me.

[Jo]

I think it is a bit much. Children are required to be educated in some way. I don't think the gov't should legislate how parents should be interested.

[Jessica]

I feel very strongly about parents taking responsibility for their childrens education, regardless of where they are schooled, but a fine for not making it to a conference just seems like a bit much.

[Lori]

"I don't know if we need to call it criminal. I would rather see accountability brought a different way, rather than fines or punishments," Carlson said.

"On the whole, parents want what's best for their kids," she said. "Sometimes I think they think we're out to get them. When you're talking about fining and pressing criminal charges, it kind of reflects that attitude."

:yup Obviously parents should be involved, but not being involved with your child's education should not be a crime. I agree with the teacher quoted that this kind of thing would set up an adversarial relationship between parents and the school, particularly in cases where there are big power disparities between the parent and teacher (such as in the case of illegal immigrant parents, or parents with very little education themselves). That's only going to make parent-school relations worse.

[Lisa]

no, As much as I think it's good for parents to go. I can't see forcing them to go. If the parents aren't involved then the school needs to take a different approach to helping the kids.

[gr8mommy]

:yup Obviously parents should be involved, but not being involved with your child's education should not be a crime. I agree with the teacher quoted that this kind of thing would set up an adversarial relationship between parents and the school, particularly in cases where there are big power disparities between the parent and teacher (such as in the case of illegal immigrant parents, or parents with very little education themselves). That's only going to make parent-school relations worse.


Or the other direction, where the parents wield lots of power and influence over the teachers. It would be cheaper to bribe the teacher to say you attended than it would be to pay the fine. ;)

[Jejune]

I guess what sucks about the whole situation is that you simply can't make people care, and certainly not by compulsion. Parents who aren't attending because they are uninterested are either not going to attend anyway, or they'll attend without attending. I would also worry about parents who can't afford to take time off of work to attend, and then to be put in a bind where you lose financially either way and have to pick the lesser evil...eh. It isn't how I'd want to parent my kids, and it isn't something I see working for adults. It reminds me of the stupid anti-spanking bill proposed here, which I'm dying to rant about even though I hear it's been shelved. There's only so far you can legislate people's behavior.

[Maleah]

I am with Christi. Instead of being fined for not showing up, how about you pay the teacher a cancelation fee like you have to at some Dr.'s offices. :)