3

Parent Guide to Education

Parents must be involved in their children's schools, not only to promote
better achievement, but also to prevent educational abuses from taking hold,
says a new booklet for parents.

Saying that only an irresponsible society leaves education entirely in the

hands of educators, the guide points to abuses which occur when parents either
refuse to participate or are excluded by school officials. Some of the abuses
are: teacher union intrusion into education policies which are the responsibility
of elected representatives; money diverted to adult education; experimentation
without proper safeguards and retention of incompetent teachers.

The guide says another abuse is the failure to teach for competency in the
three "R's". If students do not know the basics and are denied academic
self-worth they are likely to. turn to gangs and illicit activities for social
approval. The guide says it is not true that there is no connection between
juvenile delinquency and schooling.

Parents who are involved in the education system have a lot to offer in keeping

schools on track. And their own children benefit in terms of higher achievement
and career development.

Parents’ are told how to overcome practises that exclude them from the schools:
@ organize a parent group, with or without the principal's help
@ help the school review its philosophy, goals and programs
e develop a statement of expectations for the principal to include
parent involvement
e work to improve communication between the school and the home
e ask legislators to speak out for parent involvement

The guide is being made available to parents so that they need not "muddle through"
in their efforts to work with the schools. It includes a number of checklists

and projects for parent groups and is available for $1.00 from: Education
Advisory, 2267 Kings Ave., West Vancouver, B.C. V7V 2C1, Canada.

from the editor:

I would be pleased to receive news erticles from
all Parents for French branches in B.C. and to hear comments about
the newsletter. Write to Lorna Ruelle, 1569 Lawson Ave., West
Vancouver, B.C. V7V 2C8.