Even the brightest students can’t maintain good grades if their parents aren’t helping them with homework, making sure they stay on schedule, and—perhaps most importantly—providing them with a healthy home environment. That’s why many schools and districts have developed classes for Moms and Dads to help them learn valuable parenting skills.

Sandra Jimenez, principal of Langley Park-McCormick Elementary School in Langley Park, Md., has put similar classes in place for the mostly Spanish-speaking and low-income families in her neighborhood.

I spoke with Jimenez recently for an upcoming issue of ASBJ dealing with diversity.
The principal and community leader says instructing parents can help them be more organized, on schedule, and involved. In the near future, she hopes to help struggling families with another course on relationships.

Cultivating more adept parents could be a plus for students—especially poor performers—but are public schools the right places to put forth such efforts?
Stacey Camp, a mother from Plano, Texas, says “no.” She told The Dallas Morning News that she didn’t want her “hard-earned taxes” spent on the classes, which are also popping up in North Texas schools.

“I'm being penalized for working harder when others might not be working as hard as they need to,” she added.

The programs can be expensive. Plano will spend $250,000 on developing and implementing the lessons next year, says the Morning News.

The new Connecting Parents to Educational Opportunities program in Minneapolis, an initiative that has attracted over 400 families, comes with another added cost. Parents who participate can earn their child a future scholarship that would cover tuition at one of two Minnesota colleges, says the Star Tribune.
Despite controversy and costs, schools who see a need for coaching parents should consider such programs.

Without reinforcements at home, students can’t reach their full potential. But if parents align their goals with those of the school, both parties will benefit.

Stacey Hollenbeck, spring intern