Opinion: A parents' Bill of Rights needs to include responsibilities
We’ve probably all seen and then rolled our eyes at old rules for teachers. For example, in 1915, there were such rules as, “You may not marry during the term. You may not dress in bright colors. You must be home between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.”
They seem absurd and one-sided. All rules but no rights.
But something similar is proposed now. Republican politicians have decided public schools can be a useful political wedge for the midterm elections. After all, it worked in Virginia. Why not nationalize the message that parents are victims of a diabolical, liberal, public-school plot to brainwash their children?
According to Education Week, the bill sponsored by Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri would “prohibit nondisclosure agreements about curriculum, let parents make copies of classroom material, and require parents to opt their children into field trips, assemblies and other extracurricular activities. In general, the bill would require more transparency for school boards and educators concerning things like student records and safety.”
Never mind that, in 38 years in education, I’ve never heard of a nondisclosure agreement about curriculum. Also, parents without a so-called bill of rights have a right to democratically elect school board members, and attend any school board meeting and speak about anything they want.
They can visit with a teacher almost anytime. They can look at all school assignments, and if their child is in special education, they can help write an Individual Education Program (IEP) with the help of teachers and consultants. In most schools, parents decide if their child advances to another grade. Parents can do all of these things, if they take responsibility.
The latest T-shirt slogan in the parent-rights movement is “I don’t co-parent with the government.” Here’s a news flash. Teachers don’t want to co-parent your child, but they do want parents to partner with them to help their children learn and grow. That’s nothing new. That’s what those teachers in 1915 wanted, too.
To that end, I offer an amendment to include responsibilities in the “Parents' Bill of Rights.” Rights and responsibilities are equally important.
1. Don’t automatically blame the teacher when your child complains. Do some due diligence. Teachers are not always right, but they are not always wrong either. The truth might be in the middle.
2. If you see something on social media or hear something on the news, check out if it’s true before you decide your children are being brainwashed. Remember, if teachers could brainwash, they’d use it to have students came to class on time and do their homework.
3. Come to parent teacher conferences and talk to teachers. Hear how your child is doing and what you can do to help.
4. Help with your child’s class. That ensures you know what really goes on in the classroom.
5. If you have an issue about something you think is being taught, find out and then discuss it.
6. Don’t nationalize your local school district issues. If something happened in a school three states away, don’t assume it’s happening at your school. That’s how misinformation flourishes.
7. Give some grace, and respect. Your child’s teacher is trying the best they can. They are under tremendous stress. Help your child respect their teachers.
8. Attend school board meetings and vote in school board elections.
Parents have rights, and those rights need to be respected by the public school. Parents also have responsibilities that are critical to a child’s success. A “Parents' Bill of Rights” without responsibilities included is as absurd as that 1915 list of rules for teachers.
Bruce Lear lives in Sioux City and retired after 38 years of being connected to public schools. He was a teacher for 11 years, and a regional director for the Iowa State Education Association for 27 years.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Opinion: Parents' Bill of Rights need responsibilities, too
