Writer Jessica Lahey, a former teacher, talks about why she chooses not to use the student information system that her child's school offers. And she shares a range of responses from students, teachers, and parents about the benefits and drawbacks of checking on their students' grades.
One teacher's reaction:
"I like that parents can check grades and I encouraged them to do so. I feel that open communication between home and school is essential in educating children, and only sending midterm and final grades home makes grades seem like a big secret. With parent access on PowerSchool, there are no secrets. I am bothered, however, by parents who CONSTANTLY check…sometimes 5 or 6 times a day. These parents tend to be the ones who push their children the hardest and are the first to complain when grades aren't entered on the DAY an assignment is due."
Another teacher's point:
“Bane. Stresses my students out to no end. Freaks parents out b/c they see grades not as a communication but as judgment.”
