Posted August 22, 2008 to Education Resources | Section Home | Print

Back to School: Parents' and Guardian's responsibilities

1. No parent or guardian should allow a stranger to teach their child.

2. Teachers will pay more attention and demand serious work from students whose parents they meet at open house. The teachers will care more because the parents have demonstrated their commitment to their child's education.

3. The average college graduate earns over one million dollars more than average high school graduate during their lifetime.

4. Brand name clothes lose something every time you wear them, but your mine expands every time you learn something.

5. Education is a shared responsibility.

6. Any parent or guardian who can name the starting five for the Boston Celtics or listen to McDonald Cary say "Like sand through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives then name all the major characters, but can't name the two to six teachers that taught their child last school year, needs to reorder their priorities.

7. There is one formula that has and will always be present in the workforce: "Minimum education and no vocational training = minimum wages"

8. Webster Dictionary's definition of "responsibility" is the act of being responsible, something within one's power, having a capacity for moral decisions - reliable, accountable, dependable and trustworthy.

Parents' and Guardian's responsibilities:

1. During the nine months of pregnancy, you birth parents made that unborn child the center of your attention. You accepted that gift of life and pledged to do all you could to give your child a solid moral and educational foundation. Your baby is now in school, so you will have to renew your pledge and devote nine months each (school) year to his or her education. This is only for twelve years unless they repeat a grade. Never forget, you are their first and most respected teacher. Use your power to guide them.

2. The first two items you need to purchase for your back to school children is a dictionary and a thesaurus. If you do not know what a thesaurus is, buy the dictionary first and do like your old teacher told you "look it up." These two books will help to increase their vocabulary, improve their writing skills, spelling, build confidence and make reading new material more palatable.

3. Always keep some educational reading materials in your home. Please do not use the excuse "I can't afford to buy books," because you can visit the public library and check out a maximum of twenty five 25 books each time for three (3) weeks. A good source for international, national, state, local news, announcements of local events, commentaries by local and syndicated writers, "a tell it like it is editorial and black history is your local black newspaper. You can purchase a one year subscription to your weekly newspaper for a small fee. Reading materials are not luxury items, but are necessities.

4. Buy only the clothes you can afford for your school children. If they feel the need to impress their peers, tell them to study extra long and impress them with their brilliant intellect. Remind them that they will be bristly walking down the hall in a school not sashaying down a fashion runway. Tell them the designer clothes will be there when they finish school and they can purchase all they can afford with their first paycheck.

5. Take your child to open house and meet all of their teachers. Do not allow the school system to track your child. You and your child must choose the courses that will prepare him or her for their next goal. Many black children have been and continue to be misdiagnosed by unqualified or uncaring teachers, counselors and administrators. If this happens to you, borrow the money if you have to and get a second opinion from someone outside the school system. If your normal child is placed in a special class, he or she may believe they are different and start acting like the students they are grouped with. During my teaching career, I saw this happen many times

6. Your child's school day should be the main topic of conversation at the dinner table every school night. He or she should tell one thing they learned in each class. It will be very difficult for them to give you a daily report if they did not take notes and listen that day. If they say the same thing for three or more times in a row, you know they may be receiving busy work. This is red flag. This would be a good time to call the teacher and politely question your child's progress and the goals of that lesson.

7. Put the dates of the interim reports and report cards on your calendar. Have a private sit down -- a detailed discussion with your child about both. It is very important you let your child talk and defend his position. If you are not satisfied with his defense or grades, tell the teacher to put him on a daily progress report until you see a positive change.

8. Plan to have one or two hours each school night where you, you're household and school children have a lockdown. Cut off all TV's, DVDS, iPods, radios, phones, computers and any other noisemaker. Use this time for studying, reading and writing. The students can do their homework and you can study to prepare for your present job, expanding your education for the promotion or the new job you are planning in your future. Help your children with their homework if they need it. Encourage them to request extra time with their teacher or a tutor if needed. Teach them never to be ashamed to ask any question about a lesson.

9. Teach you child the importance of preparation and being on time. Show him how to plan his work, and then work his plan. Tell him that excuses are only good for temporary relief.

10. Take the time and have your child teach you how to use the Internet. You must monitor what he or she is reading and writing online. If your child does not want you to see, it may be something that you would object to. Stop paying for the Internet service until your child follows your rules.

11. Never give up on your child. Keep encouraging her to respect herself and others. Teach her how to take notes and study. After you constructively criticize her, help her find a solution to the problem. Remember, if you watch any child for a long period of time, she will do something wrong and something right. Catch her doing something right each day and give her a big smile and hug as you praise her for doing well. Do not be afraid to show love.

12. Parents if you don't know, find the answers to the following questions from your child and school counselor:

A. How many credits does your child need in each of her subjects to graduate.

B. How many does she have now?

C. What is her grade point average?

D. What is her best subject?

E. What is your child's class rank?

F. What is the advanced placement program?

G. What is her goal?

H. When does she take the SAT?

I. Is there any preparation for the SAT?

J. What is the minimum SAT score required for State Universities?

K. What is your child's SAT score?

L. What grade point average is required for State Universities? Community Colleges? Trade School?

"Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you" - H. Jackson Brown Jr.

James Hankins is a retired vocational teacher, past president of the New Hanover County Branch NAACP and author of the book "What We Blacks Need To Do." He may be reached at jhan606@bellsouth.net. His Web page is www.jhankins.com