Classical Education & a Partnership with Parents | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Classical schools work with and for parents. It is the parent's responsibility to educate their children. A school system's authority over children is delegated from parents who have enlisted our schools to help them in their educational task. This does not mean that parents dictate curriculum or programs; it does mean that teachers serve the parents, listen carefully to their feedback about the child and curricula, and seek to forge true relationships with parents, in order, to best understand and educate their children. It usually means that parents are welcome in the classroom; it means that parents take their responsibility seriously by reviewing and helping with homework, encouraging their child to be disciplined and diligent and generally supportive of teachers and staff of the school.

    T. S. Elliot warned if parents become passive, the schools will increasingly replace parental roles and responsibilities. Whenever the schools assume another responsibility previously left to the parents, we might do well to admit that we have arrived at a stage of civilization at which the family is irresponsible , or incompetent, or helpless; at which many parents cannot afford to feed them properly, and would not know how, even if they had the means, and that Education must step in and make the best of a bad job. Schools help parents, but do not become the parents. Parents should be free to come onto school campus and into classes as they wish, assist in classes, substitute, come on field trips, help serve lunch, or coach a team. Parenting and educating in a classical school are not easily distinguished.

    During the 1950's, progressive ideas began to be introduced into the schools. Under Progressivism, schools have become permissive and less willing to discipline for misbehavior. Grading has become more lenient in an effort to boost student self-esteem. Egalitarianism is the doctrine that no one should be superior to anyone else. Egalitarianism has resulted in grade inflation, lowering of academic standards, and a hesitancy to recognize outstanding achievement. Parental authority has ebbed and, in some cases, parents are not welcome to observe classes.

    G. K. Chesterton says that "Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.

    "Since when did we trust the soul of our children to progressives?"

    Parental involvement in their child's education is critical. If parents are allowed open access to classrooms, they will see the worst and the best of their children, and in some cases the school staff. An open dialog with teachers and principals will ensure that their children receive the education that they deserve.