Parent Talk

Each week, our Parents Council of experts takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

This week’s question is:

Many parents with children at city schools say they have no voice in how their children are being educated. What are some ways that parents can feel that they have more of a say in the matter? What meetings should they attend and who can they contact to voice their complaints? And what are some suggestions for parents to cut through the bureaucracy to get the answers they need concerning their child’s education?

Judy Vincent:
In New York City’s public schools, curriculum is non-negotiable. The teachers have to teach a certain way and there is no way around it.  Interestingly enough, there are multiple methods of teaching from school to school. It’s vital to find out from the teachers what method they are using and to be involved by attending any meeting or workshop given by the school. 

There should be constant communication between parents and teachers. In addition, parents have to attend the school’s PTA meetings. A lot of information is gained at these meetings. They are held 1 evening a month at every elementary school.  The principal and assistants are at each meeting as well as the entire PTA board. 

Lastly, there is a parent coordinator at each school that can also answer many questions regarding the school and what happens there. 

Jacqueline Montgomery:
I was a stay at home mom for 10 years. During those years of bringing up baby, I researched many websites to see where my voice can be heard once the boys began to attend the public school system. I invested my time in the Community District Education Council for District 26. (When Bloomberg dismantled the school boards, he morphed the board from business people into a parent council. I had to be voted in so I did a lot of research on the system).

Your voice is all about connecting actively with your school community. I left the CDEC to become PTA president. You may think things are passed over or not listened to, but when you put your foot in that door you are all ears to the administration, how it works and what you can do about it. Each CDEC meeting has a public session during which parents voice their complaints.

The parent-teacher conversation should begin in September and end only when you are satisfied. Do not settle for phone-in conferences. The interdisciplinary team that monitors your child’s individualized educational plan is mandated to discuss with you all aspects of your child’s progress. Do not think you are getting the information from a report card. It is all up to you, not the district, to make a huge effort to monitor and voice the goings-on in your child’s school.

Safia Sattaur:
When [my son] starts school, I will definitely be involved in his classes and attend PTA meetings. I will also try to speak with his teachers, counselors and, if necessary, the principal as frequently as possible to track his progress.