Everybody is talking, but is there anybody listening?
Teachers talk about students, teaching, and parents,
while parents talk about teachers, their children,
and schools. But are they listening to each other,
or even further, what type of relationship actually
exists between parents and teachers?
Capital Survey Research Center Director, Dr. Gerald
Johnson has recently completed, perhaps, the first-of-a-kind
opinion poll to assemble real information on how
both teachers and parents view the same circumstances
relating to public education and school issues.
He found that there is a wide difference of opinion
between teachers and parents in many areas of common
concern.For example, in Figure 1 (see below) in
the category "Caring About Children," 98 percent
of teachers surveyed say that they care about the
children they teach. However, only 39 percent of
parents surveyed feel that teachers care about the
children.
"The data on parent and teacher relationships are
both encouraging and discouraging," Johnson says.
"It is encouraging that both parents and teachers
strongly believe that the relationships are very
important and that schools try to promote partnerships.
"However, it is discouraging and alarming that
parents and teachers differ so greatly on the specifics
of how and how well these relationships have been
implemented."
Johnson points out that the survey of Alabama teachers
and parents builds a strong case that the low levels
of confidence the public has in public education
will continue until there is a better understanding
and agreement on what parents and teachers do and
do pot do in public schools.
There are two possible issues raised by the results
of the data Johnson says.
"If the differing perceptions are the results of
poor or adequate communication, then public schools
and teachers must do a much better job of clearly
presenting the accurate nature of parental and public
school relationships," he points out. "But, if the
differing perceptions do reflect reality, then major
changes must be made in how parents and teachers
and public schools relate."
"In either case, a monumental task and a opportunity
is at hand for public schools and for parents."
