Honolulu, HI

My kids come to me every morning to get them to sign their “communication” tablet. It’s a tablet that lists all their homework assignments and any reminders that needs to be communicated to the parents. I sign off every morning regardless if I read it or not – not because I don’t want to be involved in their school work or anything like that, but because it’s a busy time. Maybe that’s their plan…. Hmmm…

When I was growing up, I never had to get my parents to sign my homework assignments. I also never asked my parents for help with my homework – except once, and I didn’t really ask for help, I just needed some encouragement. I was overwhelmed with all the homework I was given and just felt defeated. My Dad came in and told me just what I needed to hear to get back on track… Parents somehow can do that.

In the Honolulu Advertiser today, there was a Hawaii’s Public Schools report that talked about every resource and everything a parent could possibly need to know about my kids’ public school education. It was a really comprehensive resource offering help in understanding the standards-based report card and the Hawaii State Assessment report.

The reports and the communication tablet are great and all, but I just want my kids to learn on “how to learn” and they won’t get that with the reports and communication tablet. The communication tablet does build accountability for the student, but other than that, it’s a real pain to deal with each morning. I want them to learn to be responsible for their own things and not rely on someone else to do it. I want them to be accountable for their own education.

Don’t get me wrong. I do want to be involved in my kids’ education, but I went to a public school while growing up and I know that it’s not only the school that’s going to help the child become a success. My kids need to learn how to learn and regularly apply that. They need to learn how to operate as a success in the school before they can be expected to operate as a success in the real world. Is there a test or a report for that?

Hawaii’s public schools, Honolulu advertiser, Hawaii state assessment