Apparently, some of the legislators in Tennessee (The Volunteer State) have forgotten what the word "Volunteer" really means....
...now don't get me wrong, I think that it's a great idea for parents to volunteer some time at their children's school, but how do you pass a bill the "REQUIRES" parents to "VOLUNTEER"?!!!?!?!?!? You can't *require* someone to volunteer!!! You can't make volunteering *mandatory* either.... Otherwise it's not *volunteering* anymore, is it??? Am I alone here?
Also, there are a few *parents* that I've run across in my line of work that I simply wouldn't want around my children (if i had any)....
This is just about the most inane bill that stupid bastid has ever proposed!!!! Geeze! :cursin:
Bill would make parents 'volunteer' in schools
By CLAUDETTE RILEY
Staff Writer
Parents may have to get involved in their children's schools ? or else.
A proposal making its way through the General Assembly would require parents with children in kindergarten through grade 4 to ''volunteer'' at least 12 hours a year. And they couldn't just show up ? they'd be expected to get involved in the teaching process by tutoring, chaperoning lesson-related field trips or helping students play educational games.
If the bill proposed by Sen. John Ford, D-Memphis, and Rep. Lois DeBerry, D-Memphis, is approved, though, it could become a rule without teeth. It's unclear what, if anything, would happen to parents or schools who fail to comply.
''I'd like to see all parents here as much as they can, but I don't know how I feel about requiring it,'' said Paula Hayes, principal of the 1,070-student Glenellen Elementary in Clarksville. ''It's a great idea, but how to do you enforce it?''
State law already requires school systems to develop a plan to get parents involved in their children's education, and each year the state Department of Education randomly checks a handful of districts to make sure it's being done. The proposal to go one step further and make it mandatory for parents is causing both celebration and concern.
''It's a big step,'' said Tammy Lewis, a mother of three and a teacher at Marshall Elementary in Lewisburg. ''It's not going to be possible for some parents, and just because a parent doesn't volunteer doesn't mean they're a bad parent.''
Some parents and educators say it's too pushy, and it's simply not feasible or enforceable. They say that while the move might give a much-needed nudge to parents who can volunteer and don't, it may only serve to stress and alienate the ones who can't ? or won't ? for whatever reason.
It's also unclear if parents who work long hours or have violent or criminal backgrounds would be expected to participate.
''I don't know that I'd want everybody up here working with my child,'' Lewis said.
DeBerry, who proposed the legislation, said she doubted that the 12-hour requirement would be too much for most parents.
''You've got a whole year to do it,'' she said. ''This is a start ? to try and get parents more involved.''
Teresa Cook, who frequently volunteers in her daughter's kindergarten classroom, wouldn't have any problem fulfilling the proposed 12 hours. However, she worked full-time in another town when her ninth-grade son was in elementary school.
''It would have been very tough for me,'' she said. ''I worked and I didn't have the time.''
Cook said she'd never want the child of a hard-working single parent to feel left out. ''It might be embarrassing for students if they know their parents are supposed to be there and they aren't.''
The legislative proposal, which appears to have temporarily stalled in the Senate, is moving ahead in the House. However, lawmakers on the House Education Committee softened the language a little last week before approving it and moving it to the next step.
''We're working toward the goal of 12 (hours) but not having any sanctions,'' said Bruce Opie, the legislative liaison for the state Department of Education. ''We might not reach that goal with every parent.''
Lawmakers quizzed Opie about what types of activities would count toward the 12 hours. They directed questions to him rather than the sponsoring lawmakers because it's the Education Department that would be expected to carry out any change approved by the General Assembly.
Classroom, lesson-related activities and academic field trips would count, among other things, but attending sports events or school plays probably would not.
''Part of the bill is that parents, in some shape, form or fashion, be in the school building,'' Opie said. ''There are a variety of ways they can get in and participate.''
Many choice schools, including charter schools, already have strong parental involvement requirements. Some even make parents sign a contract saying if they don't participate, their child will be kicked out.
Opie said the Education Department likes the idea behind the proposal but admits enforcement would be a problem. A law would go a long way to further parental involvement as a priority, he said, and send a message to teachers that parents should be welcome in classrooms. Typically, some educators are more open to the idea than others.
''It's always wonderful to have an extra set of hands,'' said Melanie Stacey, who teaches at Marshall Elementary. ''It would be really beneficial to students. If they know their parents are excited about something, they'll get excited. This will give them a little extra push.''
Steve and Tammy Lewis make it a point to be active in the education of their three children, ages 8 to 14.
''It's good for the child,'' said Tammy Lewis. ''It lets the students know that school is important and they see everybody working together.''
The proposal
State law already requires each school system to develop a plan for involving parents in their child's education.
A proposal by Sen. John Ford and Rep. Lois DeBerry, both Democrats from Memphis, would add to it by requiring every Tennessee school board to do the following:
? Come up with a plan to require parents of children in kindergarten through grade 4 to help at school at least 12 hours a year. But, they wouldn't be able to require parents to go over 12 hours.
? Develop guidelines by which parents could be exempt as long as they have a good reason. It's not clear whether the state would develop the list of acceptable reasons or if they would be left up to each school system.
? Come up with a plan to encourage parents of children in grades 5-12 to volunteer. This would not be required, and no minimum amount of time was suggested.
:cursin:
...now don't get me wrong, I think that it's a great idea for parents to volunteer some time at their children's school, but how do you pass a bill the "REQUIRES" parents to "VOLUNTEER"?!!!?!?!?!? You can't *require* someone to volunteer!!! You can't make volunteering *mandatory* either.... Otherwise it's not *volunteering* anymore, is it??? Am I alone here?
Also, there are a few *parents* that I've run across in my line of work that I simply wouldn't want around my children (if i had any)....
This is just about the most inane bill that stupid bastid has ever proposed!!!! Geeze! :cursin:
Bill would make parents 'volunteer' in schools
By CLAUDETTE RILEY
Staff Writer
Parents may have to get involved in their children's schools ? or else.
A proposal making its way through the General Assembly would require parents with children in kindergarten through grade 4 to ''volunteer'' at least 12 hours a year. And they couldn't just show up ? they'd be expected to get involved in the teaching process by tutoring, chaperoning lesson-related field trips or helping students play educational games.
If the bill proposed by Sen. John Ford, D-Memphis, and Rep. Lois DeBerry, D-Memphis, is approved, though, it could become a rule without teeth. It's unclear what, if anything, would happen to parents or schools who fail to comply.
''I'd like to see all parents here as much as they can, but I don't know how I feel about requiring it,'' said Paula Hayes, principal of the 1,070-student Glenellen Elementary in Clarksville. ''It's a great idea, but how to do you enforce it?''
State law already requires school systems to develop a plan to get parents involved in their children's education, and each year the state Department of Education randomly checks a handful of districts to make sure it's being done. The proposal to go one step further and make it mandatory for parents is causing both celebration and concern.
''It's a big step,'' said Tammy Lewis, a mother of three and a teacher at Marshall Elementary in Lewisburg. ''It's not going to be possible for some parents, and just because a parent doesn't volunteer doesn't mean they're a bad parent.''
Some parents and educators say it's too pushy, and it's simply not feasible or enforceable. They say that while the move might give a much-needed nudge to parents who can volunteer and don't, it may only serve to stress and alienate the ones who can't ? or won't ? for whatever reason.
It's also unclear if parents who work long hours or have violent or criminal backgrounds would be expected to participate.
''I don't know that I'd want everybody up here working with my child,'' Lewis said.
DeBerry, who proposed the legislation, said she doubted that the 12-hour requirement would be too much for most parents.
''You've got a whole year to do it,'' she said. ''This is a start ? to try and get parents more involved.''
Teresa Cook, who frequently volunteers in her daughter's kindergarten classroom, wouldn't have any problem fulfilling the proposed 12 hours. However, she worked full-time in another town when her ninth-grade son was in elementary school.
''It would have been very tough for me,'' she said. ''I worked and I didn't have the time.''
Cook said she'd never want the child of a hard-working single parent to feel left out. ''It might be embarrassing for students if they know their parents are supposed to be there and they aren't.''
The legislative proposal, which appears to have temporarily stalled in the Senate, is moving ahead in the House. However, lawmakers on the House Education Committee softened the language a little last week before approving it and moving it to the next step.
''We're working toward the goal of 12 (hours) but not having any sanctions,'' said Bruce Opie, the legislative liaison for the state Department of Education. ''We might not reach that goal with every parent.''
Lawmakers quizzed Opie about what types of activities would count toward the 12 hours. They directed questions to him rather than the sponsoring lawmakers because it's the Education Department that would be expected to carry out any change approved by the General Assembly.
Classroom, lesson-related activities and academic field trips would count, among other things, but attending sports events or school plays probably would not.
''Part of the bill is that parents, in some shape, form or fashion, be in the school building,'' Opie said. ''There are a variety of ways they can get in and participate.''
Many choice schools, including charter schools, already have strong parental involvement requirements. Some even make parents sign a contract saying if they don't participate, their child will be kicked out.
Opie said the Education Department likes the idea behind the proposal but admits enforcement would be a problem. A law would go a long way to further parental involvement as a priority, he said, and send a message to teachers that parents should be welcome in classrooms. Typically, some educators are more open to the idea than others.
''It's always wonderful to have an extra set of hands,'' said Melanie Stacey, who teaches at Marshall Elementary. ''It would be really beneficial to students. If they know their parents are excited about something, they'll get excited. This will give them a little extra push.''
Steve and Tammy Lewis make it a point to be active in the education of their three children, ages 8 to 14.
''It's good for the child,'' said Tammy Lewis. ''It lets the students know that school is important and they see everybody working together.''
The proposal
State law already requires each school system to develop a plan for involving parents in their child's education.
A proposal by Sen. John Ford and Rep. Lois DeBerry, both Democrats from Memphis, would add to it by requiring every Tennessee school board to do the following:
? Come up with a plan to require parents of children in kindergarten through grade 4 to help at school at least 12 hours a year. But, they wouldn't be able to require parents to go over 12 hours.
? Develop guidelines by which parents could be exempt as long as they have a good reason. It's not clear whether the state would develop the list of acceptable reasons or if they would be left up to each school system.
? Come up with a plan to encourage parents of children in grades 5-12 to volunteer. This would not be required, and no minimum amount of time was suggested.
:cursin:
