"I have my first Parent-teacher conference next month. I found this article very interesting and informative."

"To the teacher who wrote about parents thinking they are smarter than her eventhough she has B.A. and Masters in Education, is just plain ignorant. I'm 99.9 percent sure she does not have children and couldn't possibly understand the expert that all parents are on their OWN children. "

"To the teacher who wrote about the parents thinking they are smarter than her with her B.A. and Masters in Education---You are probably a wonderful teacher but I am the expert on my child. I know him inside and out. I know what works and doesn't work to get his attention and to teach him. I've been doing that with him for 8 years. How did he learn to talk, walk, his letters, colors etc. From us. It seems like you would at least like our opinion based on our 8 years of experience with our child. I understand not wanting to be told how to do your job but surely there is some room for some kind of input from parents."

"This article has been wonderful for me. Last year, my 2nd grader (now 3rd grade) had a teacher that was more challenging than others we'd had in the past. She is an older teacher with very high standards. I was very nervous going into the conference because I knew that my daughter had been challenged by her discipline strategies straight out. I took this article in as an outline for what we needed to talk about in the conference and had a list of questions that I wanted to go over. The teacher was very impressed that I had thought about the conference ahead of time and we had a very successful conference. My daughter also had a very good year in 2nd grade. This year in 3rd grade, I brought the article along as well to review similar questions. Again the teacher was impressed with the questions that I asked and even requested a copy of the article so that she could make sure she covered the questions that parents really need to answer about their kids. I'm going into my parent teacher conference for my kindergartener today and will be taking the article along with my notes once again. Thank you for a great article."

"'To also have a parent ignorant of the big picture nipping at one's heels makes it very tempting to quit and go into the business world, where a person can put in his 8 hours and then go criticise everyone else at will' ****************** Don't let the door knob hit you."

"I am so amused at the comments by some of these people. First of all, if they think they are so smart, perhaps they might consider where they got those smarts! Second, there is a lot of joy to teaching, but it is tied with horribly hard work and mind numbing paper grading. To also have a parent ignorant of the big picture nipping at one's heels makes it very tempting to quit and go into the business world, where a person can put in his 8 hours and then go criticise everyone else at will. However, since the kids and our country need us, we foolishly go back to doing the best we can every August, knowing that there will always be parents yapping like dogs, but, like dogs, they will get distracted occassionally and give us a breather. The pay-off is those moments in the classroom when you see a kid 'get it' and you know you have made a difference in someone's life. So, parents, because your kid needs me, I will continue to put up with your ridiculous notion that you know ! more about how your kid should learn than I, a person with a BA and MA in education, do. Why don't you now go to your dentist and tell him how you think your child's tooth should be filled...or to your doctor and tell him how much antibiotic your child should have for this condition. "

"My middle school child is taking Geometry. He has A+ in classwork and homework but has miserably failed every quiz. For 3 weeks I have requested my child's graded quizzes so that we can know what he's not understanding. I hired a tutor who says she doesn't understand why he's failing the quizzes as he seems to know the information very well. He's never had test anxiety so I don't believe that's it. However, I wouldn't know as the teacher still hasn't produced those quizzes for us. I had a conference with the teacher. She showed up without any of his papers saying she left them at home. Promised to give to my child the next day. Next day came, he asked and she told him to sit down. Never gave him the quizzes. I called her the following day and asked her to please give them to him to bring home. She told me okay. He came home empty handed as she once again blew him off. Now she's gone indefinitely due to some family emergency. I went to the school on surprise vi! sit to speak to the teacher taking over for her. This teacher tells me he doesn't have the papers. I then proceed to let the principal know via email. Predictably, he blew me off and suddenly has disappeared due to some family issue. I took it to the next level above him and they are now currently blowing me off. Why can't I see these graded quizzes? In fact, the children haven't received any of their graded work. Why is this so difficult? Some of us parents have had to go to the board of ed on this school last year. I don't like conflict. It drains my energy. All I want is for them to help me help my child. From prior experience, this school's administration is an expert on lying to and stonewalling parents. Never in my life could anyone have told me that a teacher would not show a parent ANY of their child's graded papers. Certainly, no one could have told me that the school's administrators would protect and defend such behavior. I have pulled the regulati! ons on this and pointed them out to the school and still nothi! ng. For those who blame the parents. I am involved with the PTA and volunteer my time to the school. My child is an honor student who is well-behaved, respectful, organized and well prepared for class. All of his teachers and indeed this bad apple have made complimentary remarks on my child's behavior. I and my son are living up to our end of the bargain. Why won't the school do the same. Why would they just allow him to fail without providing any useful feedback to help him? How do you fight a whole corrupt system? I'm tired, frustrated and running out of options. Someone please help. "

"I understand that everyone says work with your child's teachers. My son's spanish teacher does not care for any suggestions. The only thing I hear from her is that my son is failing; he is seven years old and this is his first year learning spanish. He has never known another language besides english but when I speak with her regarding his confusion about the assignments she states, 'He has to take responsibility of learning the language on his own'. My hands feel like their tied. How can I more effectively help my son to pass his spanish class if the teacher won't even explain the assignmetns to me."

"I have asked all of the questions that you mentioned, however, now that my son is in the 7th grade (middle school),the teachers do not seem very interested in helping all 40-45 students per class to succeed. They are roling their eyes at the students who are trying to ask questions. This is a terrible form of intimidation, especially for the slow learners. The teachers tell the students that they will answer their questions, only if they feel like it. Prior to testing, the teachers collect their notes and tell them that they will have a test on the following day. In some classes, the students are not allowed to take their textbooks home to study for the appropriate test. My son is able to make A's - C's on all classwork and homework assignments, however, will fail every test, simply because he is not aware of the proper information to study. Statistics show that if you inform a student of the chapters to study in their textbook, the night or two prior, they will be able t! o comprehend information that will allow them to make a average grade, or better on all tests. I am very disgusted with the Norwalk-LaMirada Unified District. They are truly setting my son up for failure. No one seems to care at this school about failing students, or there would be some helpful intervention. The parents are not allowed to visit the school without setting up a lengthy appointment in the office. We cannot come in and ask a question regarding our childs progress, at the end of the school day. I am contemplating removing him from this school district as soon as possible, and home schooling him. P.S. I have volunteered in this school district for over 10 years, working with my daughter and my son. Teachers are responsible to teach all students, including the fast and slow learners. I know there are some very good public school teachers, however, I am having a difficult time finding them in this school. Norwalk, CA 10/23/06 "

"fantastic!!!! It is very important to hold the school and the specific teachers responsible! (in a calm proffesional manner that is)"

"I thought it was very helpful and informative. I will definitely try this at our first parent-teacher conference next week."

"I would also suggest asking for the curriculm. This way both teacher and parents know what the student will be learning."

"This article was helpful since I have my first child attending Kindergarten. This is all new for me, so these articles are full of insightful information."

"This very helpful thank you so much"

"I BELIVE LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN LIFE YOU HAVE GOOD AND BAD.SOME TEACHERS ARE GREAT MEN AND WOMEN AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE WHO JUST WANT TO GET PAID.I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE EDUCATORS AND I RESPECT THEM BUT TRULY I HAVE MET SOME THAT FRANKLY SUCK AT WHAT THEY DO.SAME WITH THE LOUSY PARENTS THAT TEACH THEIR KIDS FIGHTING IS THE ONLY WAY AND THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO BE RUDE TO ADULTS.FOR THE TEACHERS STRUGGLING WITH NAUGHTY STUDENTS AND PARENTS,YOU WILL HAVE MARKED MANY STUDENTS AND WILL BE REMEMBERED KINDLY.FOR THE TEACHERS WHO FEEL THEY SHOULDNT BE QUESTIONED CAUSE THEY KNOW ALL,SHAME ON YOU!FOR ALL PARENTS OUT THERE WITH CHILDRENWITH LD'S THAT WORRY ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN I AM ONE OF YOU AND I SWEAR YOU ARE NOT ALONE,EVRY ONE STRESSES.WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ON LD AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. "

"I too had problems with certain teachers in middle school. When questioning my son's treatment with the principal, I was told that the problem waswith my child and he needed to be tested for learning disabilities. After testing,which we knew would come back that he did not have a learn dis., the treatment of my child got worse. My child was made to pay for my questioning their system. How horrible that this goes on in schools today. Also, some teachers have been at their jobs so long that they think they are unreproachable."

"Until we as parents are consistently involved with our childs education, I believe there is no room to point the finger at the teachers. I am very involved (voluntarily) in my childs middle school. It is amazing to me how few students have their parents support and assistance in their education. Not only is there no follow up with the homework at home by the parents, but some parents have the audacity to only visit the school to point the finger at the teacher. In my observation in the classroom, there is an extreme amount of time wasted by your own children socializing when they are given plenty of time to work on projects etc.during class time. Before you start blaming the teachers, make an unscheduled visit to your child's class, slip in the back of the room unannounced and prepare to have your eyes wide open!!! Then, when your child starts whining about 'all the homework' you will have a whole different perspective. "

"Besides being underpaid for what they do for our children, I've seen how teachers also face pressure from their students' performance on standardized tests, at least in California. Every year, according to state mandate, the Stanford 9 (now the CAT 6) scores are analyzed and teachers whose class scores are low face repercussions, regardless of class make-up. Schools (and their administrators) whose scores remain low also face repercussions from the state. That's why administrators here are always pushing for higher tests scores on standardized tests and why many teachers feel forced to 'teach to the test' –-a technique that often results in the aforementioned 'cookie cutter' syndrome, instead of a differentiated approach which takes the many different styles of learning into account. This is particularly difficult in elementary school when developmental levels can vary enormously in a classroom. "

"To Ohio: Althuogh I don't know your child's teacher, I am a fifth grade teacher in Massachusetts who does assign nightly homework - albeit a reasonable amount. Homework can be assigned to accomplish any number of goals, skill practice, extension of lessons taught, or to increase a students mastery or interest in a subject. Keep in mind that excellent teachers spend hours correcting the homework that comes home. "

"This is an excellent article...great tips for great conferences. I am disheartened by the numerous negative comments about teachers. Parents don't want teachers judging them, but they are quick to judge the teachers. Teachers teach from 8 - 3 and then grade class sets of papers, do lesson plans, make phone calls, prepare for conferences, individualize learning for different students, and try to spend time with their families for the rest of the afternoon and evening. I try to make learning in my classroom fun as some others have mentioned. However, there is an element of reinforcement that should be taking place in the home. According to research, a child should be doing approximately 10 minutes of homework per grade level they are in. So, for instance, a fourth grader should be doing about 40 minutes of reinforcement work at home. This does not include nightly reading that should also be taking place. Parents, if you are so disheartened about what is happening in today's schools, get into them and share your concerns and see what is happening as a result of federal legislation. Choices have been taken away from teachers and schools. Most things are now federally mandated. Teachers should be doing things in the best interest of children...this undoubtedly will include minimal at homework! I hope some of you change your mind about teachers. The only person you are doing a diservice to is your child. Their learning experience won't be positive unless you are positive about it. "

"First, to Illinois, Please clairify, why do teachers not deserve to be in the same financial bracket as their peers? And as to your comments about unions, teachers unions mostly advocate for the children. If they advocated for themselves they would be paid like doctors. We all know they are not. Sometimes the only way to improve a service is to make the public aware of the vitality of said service. For example, the teachers in the district my mother teaches threatened to go on strike when recess was taken away from the elementary schools. The stated reason for the threatened strike was unpaid teacher time. In reality teachers are not paid for most of their time, grading, preparing, conferences,...The real reason was that it is cruel to ask six year olds to sit at attention for eight hours. Second, public education is, and always was geared towards making good contributers to society. Public education is not interested in creating free thinkers. Rules, and how to adhere to them, are the mainstay of our children's education. Students are indoctrinated into believing that they are stuck in an existential play. The powers that be need to keep public education exactly where it is in order to hold their power. "

"Teachers who do not put a child's needs first have no business being in the teaching profession. There are teachers who use their authority to control a child's grade by simply clicking a mouse. A child with a learning problem should be dealt with individually with the parent and teacher working together. When a parent has to go to the principle about a teacher's behavior the teacher should feel total shame. It is even more shameful when the parent has to take it to the board of education to correct neglect. As a parent I have had to do both. It's a tough world we live in so why don't parents and teacher work together to give our kids the best posible future we can. We are a team there should never be rivalry when it comes to our future. Let's help each other. I'm doing my part as a caring and loving parent, so you educators should do yours. We are the role models to our own future. Our kids are watching us. "

"Yes, I believe that teachers are under paid, so are people. But raising their salary is not going to help are kids get educated, graduate and go on to college. I believe that we should implement a plan alot like some private schools have. A four year plan for our high schoolers to follow to give them the self confidence and structure that they need to feel successful in the four years that they are in high school. A lot of kids don't even realize that college is accessible to them. Teach them in school how to be successful as a professional adult. Add this to our high school cirriculum and we will go a lot farther than worrying about money. Change the system! "

"I do my job. My wife does her job. Why does the teacher get to send home work from her job? Why are we forced to play her role after coming home from a hard day at work ourselves? She shows movies, has skits, goes on 'pizza walks', etc. so that class is 'fun', but then she sends home the work that she is unwilling to get accomplished with the kids in class during her work day! There should be in class-time for kids to get the work done, then if they don't get it done, by all means, send it home. But it is an outrage that children and families have to huddle around a kitchen table contending with homework each night when class time is being squandered on entertainment and frivolity. "

"I believe teachers are under paid. However, not all teachers deserve an automatic raise nor do they deserve to always be in the same financial bracket as their peers. Teachers need to be evaluated on a regular basis through several measures...student's grades over a 3 year span, teacher participation in meetings, school events, etc; individual evaluation w/administrators and a peer evaluation. Too many teachers stay in the field and get bored. These tend to be the ones that do not like change and hold back younger faculty and administration from being creative and innovative. My last suggestion....do away with the unions. No teacher, or service member has a right to strike and hold up the education system. Granted they need to worry about their income, but they do not have a right to withhold education. Find another career. evaluate yourself and be evaluated. "

"I am a student in a teacher credential program. These comments blew me away! I am so ready to be a teacher, but I am also afraid. It is an awesome honor and responsiblilty to educate our children--I wonder if administrators, and legislators seriously understand that. We would all die if we paid doctors $38K a year-yet we as a society expect teachers, who hold in their hands our future a measley pittance - We allow monies from state lotteries, and taxes to be indescriminantly used for special interests - not schools-- then we homeschool our children out of revolt--how can we guarantee all children will be educated in a well planned, well intentioned, individualized manner?? I don't know - but I intend to devote my life trying to find out and do everything I can to change to tide. "

"It saddens me to read all the comments. All I have to say is that unless you're a teacher, or you live with one, then you have no idea what's involved. It can be a 24 hour job, and quite often is at least half of that. I'm sorry that you've had bad experiences. "

"Wow, I have never seen a teacher act anything but professional to me or my son. If they acted in anyway like some of the horror stories I have read here, I would have that woman strung up by the faculty so fast it would make her head swim. You parents take that stuff sitting down? Wow. "

"It is sad but I believe that our schools are only able to provide a cookie cutter type education for our children today. If the child does not fit the mold then the school either demands conformity or ignors the childs problems, however slight they may be. I guess my reason to state the obvious is to tell/warn parents that they must be their own childs advocate and that they cannot rely on the school to meet their childs needs. Today we have to be completely involved on a day to day basis to intervene and assist with our childs progress and even seek nontraditional and extracurricular means of inabling our chidrens' success. The schools today serve a wide menu of educational entrees for our children to digest. This curriculum is put forth for the masses to digest but in order for many children to be nourished by it they must be spoonfed its content. This task is left to the parents. Pity the child whos' parent is not closely monitoring their childs educational diet. "

"Wow Virginia you hit the nail on the head with your comments. Teachers have been underpaid for as long as I remember and as long as that is the case we will be subjected to mediocrity in our public schools.We need to step up to the plate and pay for the education our kids deserve with those Billions President Bush passes out to all his interest. I also think the parents need to OWN the problem and work with the child to resolve instead of shifting responsibility totally to the system. If we are to hold ourselves and the teachers responsible for the lack of progress in the system small steps could be taken to fix the problems. "