The number 1 thing that a teacher can do is stay in contact with student's parents. Ensuring that the parents know what is going on with their student's education usually provides a strong wall to help motivate students to do their best. But what happens as the students get older?
This semester I am teaching Grade 11 and Grade 12 classes. The students in these classes are close to finishing high school and will soon be out on their own completing apprenticeships, college and/or university. Many of these students have jobs, responsibilities and are beginning to create a sense of independence for themselves. They are developing a better understanding of the consequences and know what is right and what is wrong.
With this noted, how do you work on the fine line of student independence and communication with parents. I have had students who tell me that they will "turn it around" and consistently come in for extra help whereas I have had students who continually make up excuses for their lack of motivation.
I have a student, who is not working at grade level but is continually improving. This student has improved from earning 30% to 50% over the course of two months. With the exam coming up, the student will have to buckle down and work hard to keep his grades improving. When is the appropriate time to speak with the parents? When is it too late - or is it ever too late to contact home?
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