What Have Parents Taught Their Children About Education

The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn. ~ John Lubbock

Parents need to take responsibility for their child’s education and behavior.

A generation ago, when a child came home from school with a note from the teacher, parents wanted the child to explain why. Now if a note has to be sent home, the parents want to know where the teacher is deficient, after all, their child could not be at fault.

A particular school implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework. Parents turned around and sued the school and teachers because the parents wanted their children's failing grades changed to passing grades even though their children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough school work to pass their classes. Subsequently, the school’s office staff voted unanimously to use the following as the school’s actual answering machine message:

"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff member, please listen to all your options before making a selection:
To lie about why your child is absent, press 1
To make excuses for why your child did not do his work, press 2
To complain about what we do, press 3
To swear at staff members, press 4
To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you, press 5
If you want us to raise your child, press 6
If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone, press 7
To request another teacher for the third time this year, press 8
To complain about bus transportation, press 9
To complain about school lunches, press 0
If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework, and that it's not the teachers' fault for your children's lack of effort ... hang up and have a nice day!"