Battle for Education Reform: California Parents Revolt and Win

On January 7^th California’s governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, signed new legislation that gave parents the right to demand reform of failing schools if at least 50% of parents agreed that changes were needed. Some of the options parents would have to choose from include: replacing the existing administration with a charter school, closing schools and replacing some or all of the existing staff.

The governor’s signing of the bill drew demonstrations from the teacher’s union, who opposed it, and parents groups, who are in favor.

Before this law, California was not able to compete for any of the Race to the Top funding. This new legislation, coupled with the fact that they’ve made it legally possible to tie standardized test scores to teacher performance reviews, has put California into contention for the $4.35 billion in grant money available from the federal government.

Critics worry this new legislation puts too much power into the hands of parents. It’s a legitimate complaint as there is no mention of how teachers and administrations will be able to protect themselves from vindictive attacks by parents who expect accountability for their child’s academic success from everyone but themselves or their child. However, empowered parents might turn out to be the tipping pointing in bringing previously disenfranchised parents into a working relationship with their children’s schools.

About ten years ago, I taught at a middle school in Des Moines, Iowa and was part of the transformation of that school into a magnet school. One of the most difficult parts of the process was bringing parents into a partnership with us. Parents too often had been made to feel as though their only contribution was to drop their kids off in the morning and pick them up again in the afternoon. They didn’t feel welcome. They didn’t feel as though their opinions mattered, and I could easily understand why. While teachers are generally good at communicating directly with parents, the administration could sometimes seem authoritative and dismissive to even the most concerned and involved parent.

Though it took time, we eventually transitioned the school to magnet status with the input and cooperation of parents and students. Fostering relationships with the communities where students live and opening lines of give and take with their parents and guardians should never be considered a bad thing.

It remains to be seen what will result from this new piece of education reform in California. The group responsible for lobbying for the bill, Parent Revolution, thinks that parents’ ability to hold schools and teachers accountable via measures contained in the bill will be a positive thing. However, the emphasis on holding only teachers accountable in an equation that also includes students and parents feels more vengeful than a rallying point for cooperation and dialog.

How do schools where you live work with communities and parents? What are your experiences with school administrations and teachers? Is there really a need for parents to wield new powers like this or can working together for the good of children be accomplished in other ways?

ESC Father's Day project at Fort Sask Elementary by Ann Bibby

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Leanne B.

3:59PM PST on Feb 5, 2010

Noted!

send a green star

Past Member .

9:43AM PST on Jan 21, 2010

I've noted, thanks :).
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Karen B.

8:03PM PST on Jan 13, 2010

This is a highly difficult issue. When did education become so political? Is not "education" about helping our children learn? Maybe we should refocus on the children. I believe that our children are ultimately our responsibility. We brought them into this world. (I know there are exceptions.) I am a mother of four children: a banker, a mechanical engineer and two high school homeschoolers. Given the proper tools and encouragement, our children will learn in spite of all our "systems."

Lionel M.

1:17AM PST on Jan 13, 2010

This is no more than a palliative and chicanery intended to delude the ignorant masses into believing that the ills of their education system will be cured. The problem is far deeper than anything that has been mentioned here. The education system of the U.S.A., in common with that of other English-speaking lands, currently faces an insuperable obstacle. Learning flourishes solely in an ordered and disciplined environment. Not even in their wildest imagination would anybody so describe prevailing conditions in the U.S.A. The widespread illiteracy, innumeracy and abysmal ignorance are the product of a society in chaos. Until that is remedied no efficient system of education will be practicable. It is really not in the interest of any politician or business tycoon to support an improvement; an intelligent populace would soon perceive and cry out against their skullduggery. Regrettably therefore no solution of the difficulty appears at all likely in the near future.

Linda M.

10:45PM PST on Jan 12, 2010

thanks for the article

Rosemarie M.

8:49PM PST on Jan 12, 2010

Marvin Gentz, very interesting. Will you please let us know where you got this information? Thank you.

Catman P.

7:31PM PST on Jan 12, 2010

Good post.

Otto V.

3:59PM PST on Jan 12, 2010

An individual I know of inherited a company, He has been educated in California and cannot spell or read at a good level. He lucked out because he hires people who can make up for his shortcomings. This should be unnecessary.

Jessie H.

3:41PM PST on Jan 12, 2010

Thanks for the info!

Robin P.

2:16PM PST on Jan 12, 2010

It's true, we all have to work together as a whole to improve the education and school issues. It may take some time but, if we work together it can be done.