parents are the problem

Fascinating new poll on NCLB reauthorization out today (via eduwonk).

from the executive summary (pdf file):

All groups agree that a lack of parental involvement is the biggest problem facing schools. Teachers (61% select it as one of their top two problems), administrators (53%), the public (39%) and even parents themselves (38%) say the lack of parental involvement is the central challenge to our nation’s schools.

So.... I guess this has something to do with the booming business in tutoring and parent reteaching in high-performing districts.

moving right along...

Lack of discipline in the classroom was mentioned second by the public and parents (26%). Teachers (31%) and administrators (50%) point to inadequate funding as the second greatest challenge schools face.

Don't get your hopes up on the inadequate funding percentages, which I initially took as an indication that the public may have stopped believing money = good education:

The public overwhelmingly rejects blanket solutions for schools that perform poorly on state tests in favor of solutions tailored to individual schools. From a list of possible consequences for schools that perform poorly for several years, the most popular solution is the most flexible — requiring administrators to develop a comprehensive school improvement plan that offers a sharp departure from the school’s current approach. [ed.: preferably a strategic plan! (scroll down)]

[snip]

The public believes funding should be increased for schools that fall short of their AYP objectives on state tests. [ed.: why has this never been tried?]^* The second most popular consequence for poorly performing schools, gaining support from 57% of the public in all or most cases, is increased funding so struggling schools can hire more teachers, reduce class sizes and improve classroom conditions. Naturally, this is most popular among teachers (71%).

[snip]

Other proposals receive far less support. A school takeover, in which school administrators are replaced, is viewed as the right move in all cases of poor performance by just 13% of the public and, in most cases, by only 12%. While 48% say it’s the answer in some cases, 24% believe that it should never happen. Not surprisingly, school administrators line up firmly against this idea (56% never, 40% some cases and only 4% in all or most cases).

The proposal that earned the least support in “all or most cases” is firing teachers and replacing them with new ones. Only 12% of the public believe this should be the consequence in all or most cases (46% some cases, 40% never). Teachers join them, of course (4% all or most, 33% some, 62% never).

I don't know why we don't just take all that money and give it directly to the parents, seeing as how they're the problem.

...................................

Interestingly, while 39% of respondents said that "lack of parental involvement" is "one or two [of the] biggest reasons for public schools' problems," only 27% thought that increased parental involvement was "one or two [of the] best changes to solve public schools' problems."

So... 30% of the people who said the biggest problem was lack of parental involvement don't believe it themselves.

Right?


CA Math Frameworks: "responsibilities of parents" (scroll down)
why do we have so many tutors?
parents are the problem
aargh


^* Judge clears way for state-wide intervention of city schools 6-14-2007