Parents need to know what their children are learning in school.

​Good evening members of the board, and welcome Dr. Shifflett.
 
My name is Paula Lam and I am now a parent of one student in RCPS our other three sons are now enjoying life as graduates of Spotswood High School.
 
The school year is fast approaching.  I would like to follow up on what I presented to the board in May.  Transparency is key to fostering healthy relationships between parents, students, and teachers.  I have been a parent of students in RCPS schools since books and papers were the method of instruction.  It was a daily conversation in our home about what they learned in school and how I could help them achieve success. Then we would follow up by cracking open a book and reviewing the work they brought home on paper.  Now, I have children in the technological age where information is flowing faster than ever before, and I have less access to my student's records than I did before technology.  It should be the opposite in the technological age.
 
I’m requesting that our board consider amending policy IZE - GRADING, PROMOTION, AND REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS section 2 under Pupil Reporting.  Please consider adding parental view only access to our students' work on Schoology and google classroom. After researching Schoology’s website and consulting with teachers on Google Classroom, this request is a simple flip of a toggle switch by the teacher.  My request brings the second bulleted item – the Folder’s of the student’s work – into the technological age in which we are now living.  Having access to this information will allow parents to see the progress that our students are making on a regular basis.  This transparency will allow parents to view the curriculum that is being taught, follow along with our student's progress, and assist the teachers in sending prepared students to classes that are ready to learn. Access to this information comes with the expectation that we as parents engage in constructive dialogue with teachers and administrators about the educational content being used in our school system.
 
My next concern is that of the educational progress of our students.  I would like to hear how RCPS SOL scores are compared to 5, 10, and 20 years ago.  This is a concern of mine because I have talked with concerned parents about their children’s scores going down since entering school versus going up.  The educational success of our students is imperative to the growth and viability of not only our community but our country.
 
I would like to see RCPS schools lead the way in being the most transparent school in the country that educates our students on the skills and abilities that are necessary for them to thrive in the workforce, military, or in a higher education institution.