Consequences for Lack of Parental Involvement in School

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A Cobb County School Board member says he has a way to get more parents involved and engaged in their children's education.

David Morgan said parents need to attend the parent-teacher conferences and the “Road to Graduation” counseling sessions, and if they don't, their children won't be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities. “We're talking about sports, band, prom, everything under the sun,” said Morgan.

Some parents said this is unfair to the child. “It is punishing the kids for something they didn't do, but because the parents didn't come to the meeting,” said Amy Jaw.

Others said they'd like to be more involved, but they have jobs and other obligations. “Most of us parents, we work, you can't always take off to attend a conference and to sanction a child because their parent can't attend, that's not fair,” said Angela Maxwell.

Morgan said that's an unexcused absence. “I know firsthand, I'm a single parent with multiple jobs but I still make time to be at my child's school and I believe that's a responsibility we should be required to have,” said Morgan.

Morgan said he'd like to see this in place at Pebblebrook High School for the freshman class starting in August 2016. He's working on getting it placed on the agenda for a vote at the next school board meeting in December. Some parents said the sooner the better. “Education first, the work comes first, sports, prom, all that is second, lessons first,” said parent Jackie Hardy.