Parents As Politicians: How To Effectively Communicate With Your School
By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995 Communication is such an important factor in life and can be the reason endeavors succeed or fail. It is no less important in the school setting. However, time and again I find myself with a new family in my office which has hit a barrier in communicating with their child's school. Perhaps the administration has stopped responding to them or does not seem to take action on their complaints. Maybe they are unable to persuade staff that some issue exists. Communication in the school setting can be unique. Yes there are straightforward school staffs who work with parents and life is good, but often this is not the case. Administrators are nervous about committing to anything, admitting anything, or making firm and final decisions. They also can be arrogant and treat parents like the children they supervise. So, when parents communicate to school personnel in the w...