How many of you actually go to your children’s OPEN HOUSE at school? The reality is, not enough of you! After more than a decade spent in the classroom I can tell you that less than 25% of my students have their parents attend OPEN HOUSE. The reasons for not attending may be genuine … I am a single parent … I could not find a babysitter … I was at work until late … I don’t feel comfortable with my English … but none are justifiable. For whatever reason, as students grow older, parents are active participants in their education less and less, and by the time students reach high school almost not at all. And we wonder why Florida has a high school abysmal graduation rate of 75% and only 69% for Hispanics.

To make matters worse, this apathy is evident at all levels of our country. President Obama has continuously addressed his concerns with student success in education. In his yearly Back to School speech, the president spoke of the commitment required by students as they continue their educational path, but also mentioned the need of teachers, school administrators and parents to assist in this process. President Obama said, “… it will take parents that are committed to your education.” I echo this sentiment, but not for the stereotypical reasons of higher grades or college acceptance. I echo this for the parents that do not know what is going on in their children’s schools.

In May of this year, Dave Webber of the Orlando Sentinel wrote a story detailing the practice of transferring students to adult education facilities in order to improve graduation rates. As of 2010, graduation rates are included as part of the formula in determining a schools grade and thus funding for schools and counties. Many students at risk of dropping out of school are transferred to an adult education technical school and taken off the books of public schools.

It is not my intention to scare any parents, but instead, to urge you to establish communication with your children’s school and teachers. Don’t allow your child to become a statistic. Instead, e-mail teachers directly. Meet with the principal; ask about the true dropout rate, and what the school is doing to help. Go to the state Department of Education and research the FCAT scores for the lower 25% at the school. Do as the president has asked and hopefully we will continue to see success of all our students.

Mrs. Donovan