When families get ready to relocate, one of the primary determinants is the quality of the school(s) in their zone where they are considering a home purchase. It's tempting for parents to rely on test scores as a measure for school success. While test scores are important, they fall far short of providing a complete picture.
What do you as a parent really want in a school? Obviously, you want your child to feel safe in school. You want your child to enjoy going to school. You hope that they make friends with other students who share your same interests and values. You want them to like their teachers and administrators. You want them to be successful both academically and socially.
If you are the type of parent who actively researches schools prior to enrolling your child, I submit that test scores should not be your main concern. Because your family places a priority on education, your child is already a very strong academic student. Am I right?
So, you need more information than just test scores...and the best way to obtain that information is to physically visit your targeted school. I guarantee that within 5 minutes you will get a "feel" for the school climate. Contact the school beforehand to set up a tour.
How are you greeted when you enter the Main Office? Do you feel welcome? Observe interactions between the Principal and his staff, staff and students, staff and staff, and students and students. This will tell you a great deal.
You want your child to attend a school that is student-centered. Ask questions about extracurricular activities, clubs, and other opportunities. Make sure that your child has course options that fit his/her interests. Schools with strong band, chorus, art, physical education, gifted, and technology programs are are a plus. Ensure that your child can be challenged through enrollment in advanced and honors courses, if ready.
Finally, ask for a chance to speak with the Principal. If the Principal is not available at that moment, ask to schedule a time to meet. Effective principals enjoy meeting with new parents and understand the importance of establishing a positive working relationship from the very start. If you find that the Principal is uneasy about meeting with you, that should be a big red flag!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Regarding Principals Recommending Teachers for Termination of Employment
To me, there are two main reasons for deciding to get rid of a teacher:
1. The teacher is incompetent.
2. The teacher mistreats children.
Neither one of these things can be tolerated. Ask yourself, "Would I want my child in that teacher's class?" If the answer is no, then that particular teacher is not meeting your standard.
There is a prevailing myth that it is difficult to get rid of a teacher. This is not true. Once you've decided that the problem cannot be fixed, you must have the courage to do the right thing. It's your responsibility to make sure that all of your students are treated fairly and that they are getting a quality education.
With our current economy, the "free agent" period for teachers (in non-union states, especially) is over. There are plenty of young, enthusiastic, qualified applicants out there ready to get their careers started. A poor economy is good for public education. So don't be concerned about being able to replace an ineffective teacher.
There are two proven ways to improve schools (Todd Whitaker, What Great Principals do Differently: 15 Things that Matter Most, 2003):
1. Make the teachers you have better.
2. Bring in better teachers.
Great principals strive continuously to do both.
1. The teacher is incompetent.
2. The teacher mistreats children.
Neither one of these things can be tolerated. Ask yourself, "Would I want my child in that teacher's class?" If the answer is no, then that particular teacher is not meeting your standard.
There is a prevailing myth that it is difficult to get rid of a teacher. This is not true. Once you've decided that the problem cannot be fixed, you must have the courage to do the right thing. It's your responsibility to make sure that all of your students are treated fairly and that they are getting a quality education.
With our current economy, the "free agent" period for teachers (in non-union states, especially) is over. There are plenty of young, enthusiastic, qualified applicants out there ready to get their careers started. A poor economy is good for public education. So don't be concerned about being able to replace an ineffective teacher.
There are two proven ways to improve schools (Todd Whitaker, What Great Principals do Differently: 15 Things that Matter Most, 2003):
1. Make the teachers you have better.
2. Bring in better teachers.
Great principals strive continuously to do both.
Advice for Parents in Dealing with School Discipline Situations
Parents, you need to understand one thing when dealing with a principal over a student discipline issue: There are 52 cards in the deck, and the principal holds all 52 of them. With that in mind, it doesn't pay to go in ranting and raving, threatening a lawsuit, or being rude. Good schools maintain effective discipline. Poor schools fail to do so.
However, there may be times when a discipline situation is not handled correctly. School administrators can be under a lot of pressure and have great demands on their time, so it's natural to assume that mistakes will be made. I know I've made my share of them. Consider the following questions if you're not sure that your child was treated fairly:
1. Did my child receive his/her due process rights? In other words, did my child get a chance to tell his/her side of the story? Was he/she allowed to give the names of witnesses, if appropriate? Was my child informed which code of conduct was violated and the terms of the consequence administered?
2. Were you as the parent contacted about the incident? This should ideally take place on the same day the principal handled the situation, but in some instances it could be the following day.
3. Does the punishment "fit the crime?" Did the principal take into account your child's overall academic and behavioral record at the school? If it was a classroom disruption issue, were you contacted by the teacher prior to being contacted by the principal, so that you had an opportunity to correct the situation yourself?
4. Did your child follow school protocol? For example, if your child is having a problem with another student and has already reported that problem to an adult at school, was that problem addressed?
Remember to never ask, "What did the other kid get?" or "Who else was involved?" Due to student privacy laws, the administrator simply cannot tell you. If you would like to ask me about a specific situation involving your child, you can do so anonymously and I will give you my honest opinion.
However, there may be times when a discipline situation is not handled correctly. School administrators can be under a lot of pressure and have great demands on their time, so it's natural to assume that mistakes will be made. I know I've made my share of them. Consider the following questions if you're not sure that your child was treated fairly:
1. Did my child receive his/her due process rights? In other words, did my child get a chance to tell his/her side of the story? Was he/she allowed to give the names of witnesses, if appropriate? Was my child informed which code of conduct was violated and the terms of the consequence administered?
2. Were you as the parent contacted about the incident? This should ideally take place on the same day the principal handled the situation, but in some instances it could be the following day.
3. Does the punishment "fit the crime?" Did the principal take into account your child's overall academic and behavioral record at the school? If it was a classroom disruption issue, were you contacted by the teacher prior to being contacted by the principal, so that you had an opportunity to correct the situation yourself?
4. Did your child follow school protocol? For example, if your child is having a problem with another student and has already reported that problem to an adult at school, was that problem addressed?
Remember to never ask, "What did the other kid get?" or "Who else was involved?" Due to student privacy laws, the administrator simply cannot tell you. If you would like to ask me about a specific situation involving your child, you can do so anonymously and I will give you my honest opinion.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Ask For Advice
Greetings to all Parents and Educators,
My purpose for starting this blog is to help parents, students, and fellow educators. I have experience as a principal, teacher, and coach at multiple school levels. I currently work as a middle school principal and adjunct professor of education at a prestigious university. If you need advice about how to handle a kid or a school situation -- just ask. I'm happy to help.
© The Prinicipal’s Ear 2010
My purpose for starting this blog is to help parents, students, and fellow educators. I have experience as a principal, teacher, and coach at multiple school levels. I currently work as a middle school principal and adjunct professor of education at a prestigious university. If you need advice about how to handle a kid or a school situation -- just ask. I'm happy to help.
© The Prinicipal’s Ear 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)