Submitted by CS Barnett-Goldstein, Jan 30, 2007 06:52

While I do not live in New York, there are certain problems and characteristics that occur
routinely in cities throughout the US. There are solutions that are practical and address certain
sectors of the school population from K-12. One such sector is that in which parents, themselves, had
miserable and unsuccessful experiences. Their negative and hostile attitudes are reflected in the primary environment of the student, the home. They have to be addressed as early as possible on a basis
in which they can relate and be enabled to feel comfortable and confident. There should be a parents, and a student / parent orientation at the beginning of each semester. If a weekly meeting is required, so be it. They should be informed as to their role in relation to their child-student, how and what needs to be done at home to make the environment physically more conducive to learning, what is expected of the child for that semester, what signs signal trouble, what can be done about it, such as where and to whom to go to handle the problem, and NOT least, rules of the school that cannot be broken. As a matter of fact, supply
a list to be posted on the refrigerator, or somewhere at home. Encourage the parent's talking with the student at home everyday about what the child is learning , reading, problems, or some observation of the day, or what occurred that was funny that day. I'm not going to get into all of the advantages of the above suggestions. They are obvious, but in order to get these parents back into the fold and to remain there, they need to be made to feel welcomed back into school.
Maybe, a mentoring system among parents, themselves, can be established as an adjunct to the PTA. The parents can be encouraged, also, to participate in accordance with their capabilities in school programs and events. All of this must be based on respect and not disdain, arrogance, or patronization. The Parent Support department must solicit parent input as well- and LISTEN.
It will take considerable courage for a lot of these parents to come forward. That must be understood. I have had experience as a student in helping illiterate adults , and first the emotional tenor would have to be addressed in order for any cooperation to ensue.
Parents, whose children are first generation, do have particular concerns and problems , which can ,also, be addressed. Offering English as a second language would be helpful . How the educational system in the US
works, what is expected of the child, how to help them, what is available and where, has to be imparted by someone who conveys understanding and patience, and speaks their language, to help these parents.
If the overall goal is to help the child, and that is the approach,then, an atmosphere of objectivity and partnership will be the common ground for establishing a framework to achieve a mutual goal. Thus, providing a mutual premise from which the parent, Parent-outreach, and the school can proceed.
If Orientation sessions are made mandatory, the school's by-laws and the consequences for not following them will be front and center, and will immediately, provide direction for the parent and the student. If nothing else, it affords a back-up for the parents and the school.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.