Catching on Schools learn meaning of ‘reform’
Uniontown and Frazier school districts are embarking on a way to narrow the divide between schools and parents. All it will take is an Internet connection and a password. For those who have home computers, the benefits are countless in establishing a direct connection. But for those who can’t afford either computers or Internet service, the chasm widens. Both districts recently announced programs that will provide parents with real-time information on their kids’ attendance, grades and assignments. And it should give parents the ability to communicate on-line with teachers, to get a quick question answered, rather than go through the now time consuming process of scheduling an appointment and taking off work to meet with a teacher.
There will still be the need for face-to-face meetings, but the easy, day-to-day access should offer more communication between the two most important factors in kids’ lives: their parents and their schools.
Students, too, will have access to the systems to check on homework assignments and look for study guides, and possibly places online that could aid in their studies.
Uniontown this week held a series of meetings to show parents how its program will work. And Frazier plans to do the same on Jan. 26.
These programs should quickly gain favor as they strengthen the connection between schools and homes. If there is a downside, it is this. Families who cannot afford computers and Internet service will be left behind.
Frazier parents always have the option of dropping by the school and community library that is open most evenings and Saturday to access a bank of computers. What provisions will Uniontown make?