@Manimal said:

@LittleWoodenBoy said:

on a semi-related note, I DO think people should be fined for not attending parent-teacher conferences.

I'm not even a parent and that idea kind of annoys me. Some people have to work late or work strange hours - unless it's done by phone and on a flexible schedule it's potentially discriminatory against parents who have to work multiple jobs or have shitty hours.

it's a completely separate topic, I understand, but I will respond anyway since I brought it up (sorry)!

when a teacher's performance evaluation is dependent on a student's performance results, and those performance results expand far beyond the few hours (or less) teachers see that kid each day, the parents need to also be held accountable in some way for their child's performance.
I can only speak for my wife and the dozens of other teachers I know, but they DO in fact make it as easy for parents to know what is happening with their child. they meet over the phone, they meet whenever the parent can, etc. and yet still, the turnout for those conferences (in certain districts) is minimal at best. that is how I came to my conclusion that they should be fined.

my wife had 10 of her 33 student/parents show up (in person or by phone appointment) for her last parent/teacher conference.
she goes in before school, and has even met them at their place of business in the past.
parent involvement is SO crucial to a child's education, and this is just a glimpse into how much that fails in many areas.