Parents have certainly changed! Gone are the days when you could count on a call to a parent actually making a difference in the behavior of a student at school. If anything, the call to the parent only creates a larger problem.
It really makes me sad to have to admit this, but the reality of the situation is too evident to ignore. How much more can even a good teacher take from irate parents who come to school to 'get' the teacher without bothering to learn the facts? This problem seems to be getting worse despite all the efforts to improve parent/school involvement and cooperation.
Unfortunately, this means many good teacher are throwing in the towel rather than continuing to be disrespected, ignored, and ridiculed by uncooperative parents. Could it be that we have moved so far away from what true education was that maybe, just maybe, we have created this problem ourselves. If so what are we going to do about it before it is entirely too late.
I wish there was a process to follow or a book to read that would heal the situation. Teachers are among the few people who see this problem on a daily basis. The rest of the world, in my opinion, believes that this problem occurs on a case by case basis. However, we know that this is the case--on a grand scale. The first step to solving any problem is admitting that there is a problem. And this is a step that unfortunately is not going to be taken in our neck of the woods. Or at least I should say, it is a far-fetched idea. This issue should be called out and the teachers should be defended and supported.
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