Text Messages And Online Portals Help Parents Track Performance

by Mike Smith · 2009-09-23 09:40:00 UTC
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Can text messages help learning? The use of school-to-parent text messages are becoming more widespread. Gradespeak is an old scheme in the Chicago school systems that tracks attendance and notifies parents by text message when grades slip. A new Chicago school is embracing similarly technology and taking it a step further, setting up a parent-portal that includes a Spanish language version. This scheme will allow parents to "take responsibility for and be involved with their child’s education every day of the year." Parents are able to go online, at home or in a library, and access a wealth of information. 30,000 parents have already signed up, with more expected around the country as schools start the new school year with some brand new technology.

Similar schemes are being rolled out all across the country, with the common idea being that it will not only improve parent to school communication but also improve parent-student communication. No more forging of grade slips, or communication happening only at parent-teacher conferences. Will this put more pressure on kids to perform well on every test, or will closer involvement of parents help learning?

[Photo credit: kalandrakas]

Mike Smith is associate editor at Change.org.
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