Parents must be involved

Re “Meet the parents,” editorial, Dec. 15

I wonder why the editorial board sounds shocked that most parents of poor-performing children do not wish to be involved with education? And that the mayor is going to have an uphill battle? You could have asked a teacher.

Children do well when a parent actually is the parent, not a friend, and not weak on discipline. This includes being involved with their education -- talking to teachers, holding the kid accountable for homework and class work -- or even reading a report card and participating in extracurriculars. So what a surprise only 10% voted.

Schools are only as good as their partners. Poor parenting equals poor class performance equals poor-performing schools. Perhaps the responsibility for the low performance is not solely the fault of the teacher after all.

Carolyn Jacobson

Los Angeles

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa should take a lesson on outreach from the Walk for Success sponsored by Project Grad, the college-bound program at San Fernando High School and its feeder schools. Have the teachers and parents who want to “revamp” their “low-performing schools” be proactive. Go door to door in the neighborhoods. Talk personally to parents and request them to sign contracts promising to be active in their children’s school. All parents want the best for their children. Transformation can occur.

Frances Goldstein

Sherman Oaks

The writer is a retired Los Angeles Unified School District teacher.