stages

I was just writing an answer to Paula V about how long it takes for a parent to decide political action is necessary.

This sequence is pretty close to what I've gone through:


1. "I can help my child learn math (spelling, writing, Earth Science, etc.)"

2. "Why is it up to me to teach math (spelling, writing, etc.) to my child?"

3. "The school needs to justify its educational practices to parents and the wider community."

4. "The school has abused its authority. The district needs an academic oversight committee composed of parents and disciplinary specialists."


I think it took me 2 years to go through this sequence.

My sense is that the administration does not, quite, grasp the fact that it has now lost nearly all legitimacy in the eyes of a large segment of parents.

At this point it appears that our new Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Technology is going to refuse to send answers home with students on grounds that to do so would be "unusual" and that, furthermore, the district "can't purchase teacher's editions for parents."

Once again, a decision is handed down from on high with no educational rationale given, no hint of interest in whether children are or are not learning math on display.

This is SOP.

It is deeply corrosive.


all the answers are belong to us
email to the math chair
second request
teacher's manual
it would be unusual
more stuff only teachers can buy
inflammatory
2 weeks off
the return of Ms. K