How to encourage parents to take their responsibilities seriously has been a major theme this week. Now Bill Jackson and Leanna Landsmann of GreatSchools.net have a fantastic piece in Education Week offering their own (sound) ideas about President Obama can do so:
First, work with states to develop national K-12 education standards that define what it takes for young adults to be successful....National standards--focused on what matters most--will be a powerful rallying cry that everyone can get behind, including parents.
Second, leverage new technologies to show parents how their children are progressing....New Web- and cellphone-based technologies have the power to keep parents updated on progress daily and draw them into deeper involvement and support--and at a very low cost.
Third, use the presidential bully pulpit to make it cool to do well in school....
Fourth, be "parent in chief." Attending a parent-teacher conference the day after he was elected... sent a splendid message: We may have been up all night, but this is important.
