Parents Surprised When Child Fails a Grade Weren't Paying Attention, Says Editor, May 29, 1925

Strange Indeed

Gastonia Gazette

It is passing strange how fond parents can become so worked up during examination days over the report of their boys’ and girls’ school work, and can remain so blissfully ignorant of the school year, when the record is being made.

During these latter days final reports have been going out, carrying the dire news that Johnny or Mary, or perhaps both, have flunked two or three studies, and consequently will not be promoted to the next grade. Instantly, a great outcry is raised by “papa and mamma” and charges of favoritism are hurled teacherward. Imprecations and urgent pleadings for another trial besiege the teacher and principal. Parents become wrathful and blame the teacher for concealing the fact all through the term that Johnny was failing.

As a matter of fact, the parents are kept informed from month to month of the progress of their children. Reports are sent out and consultations are held throughout the years, and no parent can truthfully say that he was ignorant of his child’s progress in school. Even if no reports were sent out, the parent ought to know from his own observation how the boy or girl is getting along in his or her school work, if the proper interest is shown in the studies. Parents who never pay any attention to their children, however, except to dress them and put them into society or to furnish them with spending money need not be surprised that their children come up lacking.

Any parent who confesses that he is ignorant of the progress his child is making at school during the school year, deserves the ignominy and shame of seeing the child fail. The time to be aroused is during the school term, when distractions, diversions, amusements, dances, parties, good times, etc., are taking the child away from his lessons. It’s too late to cry when the damage is done.

Children can not be expected to pass their work when their time and attention during the school year are centered on other things than their studies. Teachers, who are being blamed for not passing pupils, might with profit refer to the preceding school term, and mark a few red letter dates for the benefit of fond parents who are so scrupulous now, but who, six months ago, paid no heed to warning notices and monthly reports.

From editorial page of The Durham Sun, May 29, 1925

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