Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

A couple recently decided to share concerns regarding their child who is in the Ouachita Parish School System as they feel he is being left with a sense of abandonment. The parents admitted that their child has been struggling and believe the communication between staff and parents should be mandatory. After gaining more clarity on their child's issues, they feel that all have failed him if their student does not succeed. The parents want all area schools to succeed in giving all children a good quality education. All children are not the same, and from their experience, communication can be difficult at times. When school administrators notice this, teachers should be encouraged to take part in the responsibility to help find ways to communicate and get through to him. They also encourage their son to develop his voice and speak up when he is unsure, or things are wrong.

The parents are disappointed, however, that there is now no communication. If he raises his hand or expresses he does not understand his assigned work during class, he is to "figure it out" on his own. All their son wants to do, they say, is to be able to keep up with his peers, on all levels. They believe kids can excel in other activities at school, as that is something that educators should encourage students that show what they can do. Educators should not be surprised when students who may need “a little more attention” outperform beyond their expectations and gain confidence in themselves. Some may attribute that to cockiness, but as parents, they teach him that he should be proud of himself, when he accomplishes something. When a child can identify his or her mistakes and appreciate his or her accomplishments, they can fully understand what it means to learn and grow. When a student excels beyond others' expectations in some instances, it can show that some, but not all teachers, may have misjudged that student’s potential. The learning experience should never lead a student to feel that they are a burden and disappointment.

Modern schools are equipped with various programs to help assist all students. Schools should encourage parents to seek alternatives. Parents should be applauded when they realize that a problem exists and that the school will bend over backward to do what is best for that student. School boards are aware that situations like these are delicate at best, but what is being done is supposed to be in the best interest of the student. The worse thing for a student to feel is that he or she is a burden. So many times, they are in their own way crying for help. Will it get to the point that a student would just give up?

Parents should instill in their children that the teacher is there for them and that they are in authority over their education. Children spend a great deal of their time around their teachers, so a healthy relationship is important. Parents want to feel confident that when they decide to make adjustments so their child can have a better learning experience, they expect the school to hold its end of the bargain. It can be disappointing for parents to learn that things will not go the way they thought it would because suddenly, the rules changed. Situations within the family can change between parents, but the best interest of the student remains intact. In the end, it is the student that loses if everyone involved does not do the job they all signed up to do. Parents like these are not alone. Why is that?