Home Run! (We Think)

With a fair amount of frustration being a part of our life on a regular basis, it is great when one feels a home run has been hit. This is one of those days.
From the beginning, we were told by teachers that confrontations with parents were too plentiful and that parents sort of ran the school. Of course, no school can be successful under these conditions. It has taken a number of months to figure out what the problem is and then to find a solution.
The old game of “divide and conquer” was far too prevalent. Teachers feeling isolated and dealing with complaining parents felt helpless. Moreover, there was no systematic documentation of student shortcomings.
During the month of April we designed a grid where the students were listed on one side and the days of the month across the top. Teachers were to note on the grid any student deficiencies in (1) homework not done, (2) books or necessary materials not brought to class and (3) any problems in class such as discipline problems or just not being at all engaged in the class. We applied this system to seventh through tenth grades.
The results were amazing. First, the collective situation was much worse than we imagined. Secondly, as I collected the information and returned a summary copy to teachers each week, they could sense a collective effort to define and document the problem.
Letters were sent to parents of the worst collective offenders to show up for a meeting with the group of teachers for their child. Also, the child was required to attend this session and explain him/herself. This series of conferences happened today.
Early reports are most encouraging. Parents were upset with their children, not the teachers. Parents were happy to see a systematic approach to a problem of poor effort on the part of their children. Teachers were encouraged to feel the support of parents and end the feelings of isolation they had long felt. We expect a much better effort on the part of all students in the future. Home run!