Failing Schools Say They Need More Parent Involvement

This article from Central Coast News appeared on March 8, 2010. Special Thanks to NYS PIRC for posting it initially.

Greenfield, Calif- Laura Zavala started teaching first grade at Greenfield Elementary 5 years ago. She's frustrated the school is seen as consistently under achieving, We are trying our best and I can see it in my class I can see the growth. You know when the kids come in they are at a particular level and when they leave I see so much growth and it's frustrating when I see the scores are not there," said Zavala.

Zavala told Central Coast News she needs more programs to help get her students on track. She also said more parents need to get involved, "They don't speak English or they work. They work from like five in the morning to six o'clock at night so when they get home they are tired and some of the kids are with a baby sitter and in the after school programs, so they don't talk to their parents as much," said Zavala.

Zavala believes if the students are really going to succeed the parents need the tools to help, "It's very important to read to write to do their work at home and we need to involve them. We need to teach the parents how to teach their kids," said Zavala.

Greenfield Union School Districts Superintendent Elida Garza says she thinks her schools can overcome the language barrier and get back on track with the states education requirements, "My parents did not have a formal education but they instilled in us the value of an education. The value that if you work hard and study hard it is what's going to break that cycle of poverty," said Garza.