Children need parents, even in high school
BIANCA GARCIA – Hoof Prints Staff
Within the past few years, parental involvement in their child’s high school academics has decreased tremendously.
As elementary students, parents are required to attend the first parent teacher conference, but as their child grows older, parents stop attending. To prove this point, the West Elementary principal, Dr. Kima Stewart, informed me that the attendance at the first parent teacher conference is typically close to 100 percent, whereas Mr. Randy Rose, the high school principal, informed me that barely 15 percent of parents attend the first parent teacher conference.
Why do so few parents show up to the conference? The answer to this question might be that they think that their child has enough responsibility to tell them how they are doing in school. But that’s the problem; most students do not tell their parents half of the stuff going on at school.
As a high school student, I think parents should be more involved in our academics. Parents might think that they shouldn’t be as involved in the child’s high school career because it will help them become independent. But is this true? Only to a certain extent! Students in high school are still in their years of adolescence which means that they are not always telling their parents the truth. Some parents are oblivious to this. For instance, when that report card comes out, the grades they thought their child should have are completely different from what they earned. This can cause a problem not just with the student, but also with the school faculty.
Also, being involved in your child’s academics will help you decide if your child is ready for the future. By being involved in academics, you will be able to see if your child is prepared for college. You will be able to see the maturity level of your child and how well they do in school. You can also see how independent they’re becoming by seeing if your child keeps you up to date with school functions.
All in all, being involved in your child’s high school academics will help you confirm that your child is not lying to you about their academics, and it will keep you up to date on functions coming up in the school year.
Parental “hand-holding” does more harm than good
MEGAN MISNER – Hoof Prints Staff
As a child ages, there is a level of independence that steadily increases. The child starts out by relying on the parent, but by senior high, the student has enough independence to manage academics on their own. I believe that if a child is in senior high, they have enough responsibility and experience to make it without their parents “holding their hand.”
With this belief in mind, it is understandable why most high school students’ parents do not attend parent teacher conferences. It is time to let the child grow up already. This is their last few years before they enter the “real world,” so the parent must help them prepare. If parents are constantly babying the child, how will they ever reach the level of independence required for college or a job?
By a student’s high school career, they have their grades predetermined. The student knows what his or her goal is and what she or he is capable of. I don’t believe that by their parents attending parent teacher conferences that they will become more motivated and work harder.
What happens when a student goes off to college or begins their future career? Well, their parents won’t be there talking to their professor about why they are failing or why they aren’t doing their assignments. They also won’t be there talking to their boss about why they are late or absent from work. The child is on their own. And what better way to prepare them than to begin in high school?
I believe it would be best for both the student and the parent if the student was given more independence and responsibility. If the parent only wants the best for the child, I believe they should give them space. If a parent raised their child right, they should have faith that the student can handle high school on their own.