June 6, 2006

Bill Would Require Direct Parental Notification When Students Fall Behind

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today asked the legislature to support a bill, sponsored by State Representative Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee), that would provide parents with the information they need to help their children succeed in school. 
 
“I know that even the most committed parents can find it difficult to stay connected to what is happening in their children’s school,” Granholm said.  “This legislation will ensure that school districts are keeping parents informed when a child is struggling so that problems can be addressed and corrected before it is too late.”
 
Angerer’s legislation would require that all school districts have a plan in place by September 1, 2006 to ensure direct communication with parents when a student begins to fall behind.  The notification would be required to occur early enough to allow for corrective action to prevent a student from failing the subject or grade. Districts would need to amend their parental involvement plan to meet this requirement.

"Parental involvement is critical to our children performing well in school, and it makes all the difference in the world," said Angerer, a former communications director for Dundee Community Schools. "Parents shouldn't have to wait until the end of a marking period when they see a report card to find out that their child is failing a class. By getting parents involved earlier, they can work together with the teacher to get their child back on track."
 
Granholm first called for legislation requiring parental notification as part of an “Agenda for Strong Schools” in her 2006 State of the State Address.  The agenda also called for a mandatory rigorous curriculum for high schools, significant new investment in early childhood education, after school tutoring in math and science for middle school students and protection from bullying.