What The People say about Parental Responsibilities…

Parental Accountability and Vigilance

(Partial compendium of research verbatims)

The People in their wisdom have abandoned romantic assumptions that all mothers and fathers are responsible, loving, caring.  They don’t talk “parental responsibility” any more; they now talk “parental accountability.”  The People are stunned, saddened and outraged that some parents are abusing their children actively through bad parenting practices and passively by neglecting their children’s basic needs.  In the best interest of the children, the People now demand increased vigilance by school staff for signs of parental irresponsibility, pro-active interventions where necessary by social workers, police, court and other proper authorities, and persistent follow-up to be sure that parents restore failed children’s rights.  (See footnote below.)  But the People know that in the vast majority of cases, lax parental responsibility does NOT excuse failed teaching results.  The People know that our schools have our children for 7 good hours every weekday, and that’s proven sufficient time to achieve results that are at least on a par with what’s already routinely achieved elsewhere nationwide.

FOOTNOTE:  The People, in the verbatims above and elsewhere in ACT’s research, either state explicitly or imply, that each and every student has the right to receive from his/her parents (1) frequent genuine hugs and kisses, (2) patient careful listening, (3) abundant celebrations of her/his interests and efforts, (4) reassurances when he/she doesn’t meet his/her own hopes, (5) a full 8+ hours of undisturbed comfortable sleep every night, (6) breakfasts and all other meals that are fiber and protein rich, with minimum sugars, salt and bad fats, (7) guaranteed sufficient time every after school or evening to do undistracted homework, (8) daily aerobic exercise, (9) clean and neatly worn school attire, (10) respectful attitudes and behaviors toward teachers, officials, and all others.