Newsroom Notes: Student success begins with parent involvement

Maria Hoover is Inside Business Editor for Springfield Business Journal.

I recently went to a meeting at my boys north-side elementary school. The meeting was announced by a letter home, which stated school officials intent to present a report card, so to speak, for the school and its efforts to teach children and reach district-wide goals.

My husband and I discussed the meeting beforehand and agreed that it was important to go. I thought it would be a great opportunity to hear about whats going on at the school, what issues still exist, and what parents could do to help. (Because this was pegged as a parent meeting, I correctly assumed this would be addressed.)

What struck me, though, and what still weighs heavily on my mind, is there were fewer than 20 people at the meeting and at least three of them were school staff or teachers.

I dont know how many students go to my kids school, but I do know that there are more than 16 kids in each of my sons classes, and there are more than two classes at the school. Where were all the parents?

The principal talked about two of the Springfield R-VII School Districts goals: attendance improvement and increased student achievement. He noted that during 2002, on an average school day, there were 1,505 students absent from classes in Springfield Public Schools. The district has, for several years, he said, had an overall attendance goal of 95 percent, but to date it hasnt achieved that.

Several times during the meeting, the principal noted that he was preaching to the choir, because the parents who were there likely already realized that not only is education important, but so is parent involvement. Where were all the parents?

Interesting statistics were cited during the meeting, including numbers that showed that 80 percent of all inmates are high-school dropouts. Attendance is key, obviously, because as the principal noted, we cant teach them if theyre not here.

And its not as if the district isnt working to boost attendance. Phone calls are made, letters are sent, an attendance advisor will make home visits after repeated absences. In some cases, when other efforts fail to bring absent students back to class, help is sought from the prosecuting attorney. I was surprised to find out that sometimes school staffers provide wake-up calls to make sure kids get up in time to get ready for school.

For the kids who attend regularly, the school holds assemblies and gives incentives, including awards and prizes. For north-side schools, the North Springfield Betterment Association rewards students, teachers and families for high attendance during the school year. This effort, according to the principal, is supported by business leaders who understand the importance of quality education, because theyre the ones who will employ students once theyve finished school if they finish school. These business owners understand that education is a valuable thing. So do educators who recognize that high-school dropouts face dismal job prospects.

Increasing student achievement is of equal importance, partly as a result, I gather, of higher government standards and expectations. At my sons school, there are reading and math specialists, and teachers are doing things differently in terms of classroom management. Discipline is a key factor, and at our school theres the STAR reward system. STAR, which stands for Super Terrific Awesome and Respectful, recognizes when students do things well, act responsibly, respectfully and are helpful and kind. I think thats terrific, and I know firsthand that when a child is recognized, its an accomplishment that brings pride.

The principal notes that any changes, including those that have been made at local schools to improve attendance and achievement, require parent support. No kidding.

What he tells the students, repeatedly, is that going to school is their job. He, and the teachers, are trying to teach skills that students can carry with them always and use later in life, even when theyre doing whatever it is they want to do when they grow up. This month, the students are working on manners.

Im glad I went to that meeting. Im glad I found out that the boys are working on their manners. We work on them at home, too, but sometimes I think they listen to the teachers better than they do Mom and Dad.

As a parent, I want my kids to grow up to be kind, compassionate people who contribute to the world around them. To do that, they need to learn. They need to know that learning is important, and that their parents think its important. About 16 parents at a school-wide parent meeting is a pretty dismal turnout. But its a start and its better than none at all.