Letter: Students need parents’ help

Thursday, April 11, 2002 | 9:09 a.m.

There are some important factors in today's schools that are beyond the capabilities of the teachers and legislators. These are parental participation and the individual student's effort.

The system in Las Vegas is essentially good, despite the low ratings of the student accomplishments in specific subjects, comparisons with other systems, etc.

If you were to examine the homework of a fourth grader, you would probably be surprised at its complexity. It is far more difficult than you might expect. The teachers are there. The vast majority of teachers take their job very seriously and are indeed capable.

In a surprisingly large number of cases, the parents handicap them by not overseeing their child's effort, progress or need for assistance. They do not enforce homework. If their child is doing badly, they blame the teacher or "the system."

The individual student must bear some responsibility if they are "behind the curve." They do not study. They do not take their schoolwork all that seriously. They spend more time in batting practice, gymnastics lessons, video games, etc., than they do on their homework.

I am not a teacher or school administrator. I am the grandpa of a fourth grader who does her homework every single night -- with her mother's supervision and guidance.

DAVID SULLIVAN

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