NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Governor Haslam has signed into law a bill legislators hope will boost parent-student-school involvement.
Under the proposal, parents would agree to - at a minimum - help with homework, sign report cards, attend school functions, and show up for parent-teacher conferences.
A second measure advancing in the Legislature proposes so-called parent report cards. That proposal is awaiting floor votes in both chambers.
Tennessee PTA President Karen Davis is opposed to both measures.
“I don’t believe you can legislate parent engagement and involvement. And then there’s the difference between involvement and engagement. Parents don’t necessarily have to be on campus to be engaged at home helping their child with homework, asking their teachers questions, supporting the teachers that are supporting their students.”
Davis says most schools only want parent involvement when it’s time to raise money. She says if administrators really want more parent involvement then they've got to give parents more input on on their children's education.