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Accountability

So, you've read the test scores for your children, their classes, their schools, and their district. What next? If your child's school is excelling, celebrate. Tell the teachers and principal you appreciate their good work in helping your child progress, but then find out what their goals are for further progress.

Write a letter to your local paper thanking the school for its success and suggesting new educational horizons. After all, even great schools can still improve. A school's "report card" gives everyone good information on where the school needs improvement.

For 35 years, the federal role in education has been aimed at helping the schools that face the biggest challenges. One thing we should never do is tolerate schools that fail year after year. A school that cannot teach and will not change requires outside intervention.

If a school or a particular classroom is not doing well, you may want to ask the principal or the teacher how you can help it do better. Take a look at the rest of the school and at neighboring schools to find models for success. Also consider offering your time to help the school improve. If these methods don't work or seem unlikely to have any positive effect, then consider other options. Some families have chosen other public schools, magnet schools, private schools, parochial schools, homeschooling and charter schools, or to supplement their current school with a tutoring program. Figure out what choices you have, and weigh them carefully. Watch for more options created by new reforms—particularly for disadvantaged families. Talk with other parents about what they do. No one cares more about your children's future than you do; and no one can make better decisions about their education than you can.

Whatever you decide, continue to insist on high standards from your children and their teachers.

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Last updated—December 17, 2004 (jer)