This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Contacting Parents
Our school does not have a formal system for contacting parents, except when grades are posted, we must contact all parents whose children have 74 or below. I have found that it can be a very difficult task. I used to call after school, but could never get the parent at home. Now I call during my planning period at their work or cell number. Often, I still do not get the parent during that time, but I do get call backs. Unfortunately, the call backs have come in the early am when I'm counseling another student or during class time when I have a room full of other students. I don't know what the solution is, other than to keep trying at different times of the day. I think I get better responses from the daytime numbers. I like contacting the failing students. I don't know if I agree with contacting the students who have 74 or below.
Hi, Georgette - the reason behind contacting parents when their child falls below 74 is sound. Parents need to know and may be able to help focus their child before the 74 turns into a failing grade, as it quickly can. The proactive course is to deal with it right away before serious damage is done to their grade. And while parents may or may not make a difference, they at least need to be aware of the failing possibility while there is time to make a difference.
ReplyDeleteThe trick for you is finding time and/or getting through, as you have seen. You may try contacting parents on a more regular basis, rather than after a grade posting as that may spread out the work a little. And use all the means at your disposal; email, postcards, phone, etc., as some work better than others for certain parents. Keep up the good work.