Are there ways to make sure teachers are doing what they are supposed to do

Carla - posted on 10/23/2010

I don't know if it's available everywhere, but my grandson's school has their assignments, grades, etc online through the school. You might want to check into that. Also, if you go talk to the teacher, and tell her YOU want to know her progress, she probably would comply.

All the other ladies have given you good advice. Questioning and checking are good things to do with other activities besides school work, and will get them in the habit of telling you what's happening in their lives.

God bless, honey!

Frances - posted on 10/23/2010

I have had similar issues with school but I have found that if I get her to read at home as often as possible, and during the holidays we did some maths worksheets, then at least I know what level she is at :)

Betty - posted on 10/23/2010

My daughter is in first grade and doesn't like to tell me about her day at school either but the way I get her to do it is by talking to her at bed time. She tells me she only tells me because it makes it so she can stay up later (so she thinks). If she stops answering my questions I say "O.K. Goodnight" and she say "O.K. I will answer your questions so I can stay up later" . I ask detailed questions and then when I can't think of any more I ask her if there is anything else I didn't ask about. It is great to know so much!

Joyce - posted on 10/21/2010

I can usually tell how hard my children are working in the class room by the quality of the work they bring home, I also find that a good place to start when asking about their day. My first question to them when we get home is "Did you do your homework.?" if the answer is yes then I want to see it so I know what is going on. I am fortunate that the teachers in my town are wonderful and work as a team to get my children educated when I have a concern I know it can usually be dealt with by an email or 2, so far only with my son as he is in K and I am concerned about his behavior.

Suzanne - posted on 10/21/2010

if you can't be at the school to talk to the teacher on a regular basis try sending a note book to and fron the teacher that the two of you can use to communicate any concerns or questions it could also give your daughter a place to copy homework down and ask that school books come home every week so you can see what she is doing

Barbilee - posted on 10/21/2010

What are teachers supposed to do? What really is their job? What do you want to know? What do you mean by "working hard"? What do you want to know about her day? What kind of questions are you asking her? What are the teachers supposed to "tell you"?

Sara, I taught for 14 years. I taught anywhere from 30 to 150 students every semester / year depending on the grade. My job was simple, deliver the curriculum to the best of my ability to the best learning of all involved. I empowered my students to do their best, but it was not my "job" to make it happen. Nor was it my "job" to tell the parents everything that I did. It is up to the parent and what they teach their children about the value of education, sharing, and communicating. Yes, I could influence it but the parent is the primary teacher. I was a facilitator of learning, the parent is the real teacher.

Connect with the teacher. Ask questions of what she wants of you to help facilitate your daughters learning, ask her how you can best help your daughter at home. Ask her how to help inspire your daughter, but ultimately it is up to you and your parenting that will determine how you daughter is in school. Every year her classroom teacher will change, but you will always be her primary teacher...always. Even when she is out of school and having a family of her own. Look at your role, what can you do to improve it?

Maria - posted on 10/20/2010

hi, ,you dident say how old the child is or what grade.....my son is 5, in kindergarten, i have a notebook , we corraspond thru there , i also had the same problem my son not telling me what goes on in school.... hope it helps...maria

Marsha - posted on 10/20/2010

I'm a teacher, and the mother of a 6yr old little girl who, since the age of 3, has told me that she's done "nothing" at school today. I work in education. I KNOW that she's not sitting there just playing or nothing. I started asking her specific questions. Did you play with playdough today? (for the years she was in day care) or "Who was the line leader today? What was your word of the day today?" for school now. Check with your daughter's teacher to see if they have a website where they list assignments, spelling/high frequency words for the week, current unit of study. Then you can ask specific questions about those things. I thought it was just my child who did this, as my 2 nieces the same age, tell me everything they've done for the past week when I see them. Two of my co-workers children, the same age, do the exact same things, and they're boys. Perhaps it's an age thing?

Kristin - posted on 10/20/2010

In my daughter's school, I have always volunteered as a class mom, so I always know what is going on. Also-most districts send home weekly packets or have classroom websites where they post announcements, homework, and classwork. Most teachers don't have the time for weekly conferences unless your child has an IEP (Individualized Educational Program) and then it'd be with the tutors, not the teacher. Email the teacher if you can, but keep in mind that they are busy throughout the day and often throughout the evenings and weekends. Not to raise worrisome issues, but are you sure that your daughter is simply not telling you? What does her homework look like when she brings it home? Are there grade issues? Or could her reluctance in telling you what's going on in class/school have some other based issue, such as bullying or harassment of some sort?

Amanda - posted on 10/19/2010

2 things u can do 1 is sit in the other is come up with a chart or form that the teacher fills out every day saying wether or not ur child brought back homework stayed on task compleated class work on time and so forth i hope this will help best of luck

Sara - posted on 10/18/2010

Yes I agree with lots of yall's opinions , it just that my daughter has special needs and sometimes some of her needs have been overlooked so i think i gotta good basis though..meetings an such

SiewYean - posted on 10/15/2010

It depends on what is your expectation on the teachers. We should not micro manage the teachers. I agree with Candy's reply. We test out and coach our kids at home so that we know where and what level our kids are. We can't depend on teachers to teach our children on every aspect as teachers have so many students to handle.
Our school has a teacher/parent session once a year. At the same time, we can approach the teacher any time for clarification on any matters pertaining to our kids in school. You just need to open up the communication with the teachers.

Angie - posted on 10/13/2010

Absolutely, there is a way; volunteer in the classroom. If you develop a more personal relationship with the teacher, they are more likely to call you. Keep in mind, teacher cannot advise parents of the details of their child's day. Can you imagine how much teaching time or planning time would be taken from our children if teachers had to do this for their entire class of 20+ students?

Heather - posted on 10/13/2010

Every year in the first week of school, our school has parent evenings. The teachers advise the parents what the objectives are for the year and there is time for some general questions from the parents. At the end of each term, they also send home a newsletter letting us know what they have been learning about and what they will learn about the next term.

One thing that I found interesting is that at the beginning of Yr PP (my kids go to a K-12 school), they talk about parents giving the kids some independence. They advised us, if the teacher or school feels that parents should or need to know, then they will contact you,, however if you are concerned to contact them straight away to discuss it.
If you don't get this communication then make an appointment and see the teacher.
In saying this I always put my hand up for Parent help at the beginning of the year for one or two sessions. Most Teachers love having parents volunteer to come in to help listen to reading, help with maths activities
It gives you time to see how the kids interact and what they are up to as well.

Amie - posted on 10/10/2010

Be realistic the teachers are observed by principals, district heads and sometime parents (Depending on your districts policies). Most likely the teachers are doing their jobs. They also can't send home detailed actions of every student everyday (most elementary teachers only get about a 30minute plan time during the day and some are two 15 minute times (this is when they use the bathroom, collect folders, read parent e-mails, get ready for the next lesson ect.... Also walking to bring the children to PE or Music and waiting for them to bring them back)
Ask if you can sit in on a days class time or ask for the weeks lesson plans (most teachers have lesson plans for the week) this could give you conversation starters with your child: "Sally tell me about the story your class read to day wasn't it called........" or "Can you show me how to....."
Ask other parents that go to the school about what their children come home with or tell them about school (Don't make it a gossip session, or bragging about your kids, or slandering the teachers)
All kids will latch onto different parts of the school day. If you have tried everything you can voice your concerns to the principal.

Candy - posted on 10/10/2010

I would see if you can have a teacher conferences every week if you need too. test your child at home. See what she knows on your own. If you think she should be reading get out a book. Start to read it and see if she can tell you a word "you dont know" . Get flash cards. You can get all kinds now a days. Sight words,math,numbers and letters. Make a game out of it and see what she knows. Good luck