OXFORD, Miss — Teachers could soon give parents a grade on their child’s report card under a proposal in Mississippi.
WREG talked with some who say the bill doesn’t stand a chance.
If House Bill 4 passes, it would mean parents will be held accountable.
The sponsor Representative Gregory Holloway said it’s a way to encourage parents to get more involved in their child’s education.
However, math professor Gerard Buskes didn’t like the idea.
“I think that it’s certainly a great responsibility of the parents to be involved in the education of their kids, but I think it’s a terrible idea,” said Buskes.
But not everyone we spoke to was against the idea.
Some said it would force parents to get more involved.
“Sure, I do think they ought to be graded on that,” said Gene McCoy, a grandparent.
The bill would target k-12 schools in Mississippi.
Holloway said it’s up to the individual district to opt in or opt out.
The superintendent of Oxford Schools said while he supports efforts to get parents more involved, he didn’t think this was the right approach.
“Our teachers are already burdened with things and every year something’s getting added. So from that point, I believe the grade is already apparent and the parental involvement support, the grade that the child gets, that shows the level of support,” said Brian Harvey.
Holloway told WREG over the phone, low performing schools have issues with parental involvement.
He said the bill would mean if the child fails, the parent would get a failing grade too.
Some think it’s a great way to get parents’ attention.
“Parents should take care of their kids,” said McCoy.
School district leaders said they’re already taking steps to get parents more involved.
“It’s communication, it’s making parent night, and curriculum night where parents come out and see what the children are doing in class,” said Harvey.
