Parents Keep Track of Students Online

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INNOVATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS

The one time I skipped class when I was a senior in high school, an anonymous source called my mother, and told her my whereabouts (the local Bob's Big Boy).

These days, she wouldn't need a spy to alert her. With home-school communication boosted by technology, parents can find out everything from school attendance to a drop in grades, missing assignments, and project deadlines.

A web-based program called Pinnacle is the conduit that allows schools and parents to keep in constant contact.

"There's a real belief that children can be more successful when parents have information, and they have that information now," said Dianne Vaez, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment at Temecula Valley Unified School District in an article in The Press-Enterprise.

Some FAQs, according to the article:

• Cost to school: $186,000
• Improved communication between parents and teachers
• Customized alerts to parents
• Time-saver for teachers
• Password-protected and private

For more ideas on how parents and schools can stay in touch, download Edutopia's Home-to-School Connections Guide.