The websites for all schools need a review. They look like they are an evolution rather than a well planned interface.
First - Skyward, Blackboard, Fusion Pages and teacher websites - someone pick a product and make it work. Teachers should not be allowed to select the product that they feel most comfortable with. Some still use nothing at all! Communications need to be streamlined.
The RHS website still shows Lorenz as principal. These are simple updated that should be done.
The RHS web system is in shambles. Naviance, Skyward, Blackboard, Fusion, RevTrak, Community Pass, Teacher Webpages, links to publisher websites for textbooks (broken) and many teachers using their own Google pages.
I have two kids in school. It, quite literailly, takes my 1/2 hour each day to review the websites where their homework is posted so I know what they are doing.
I believe that it should be a REQUIREMENT that all teachers post their homework on Skyward or some other site. But one site and one site only. I know the teachers prefer Blackboard and it seemed to work well but then they couldn't record student grades
18 comments:
Why are the teachers allowed to chose what to work with? Get over your phobias.
How about using the age old method of having your child take notes, rely on report cards, progress reports and the occasional note or an e-mail home. This followed by the occasional parent teacher conference.
This worked fine for me in school and just as well for my children.
8:53 - not sure I understand your comment; who should get over their phobias? Teachers or parents?
With respect to finding out what your kids homework is . . . many, many teachers don't post the homework at all. It is assigned in class and if your kid forgets it, too bad. And, while I actually agree with the teachers on this on in principal, we are living int he electronic age. Like it or not, we expect that calendars, assignments, etc. will be posted on line. More importantly, our students have come to expect that their information will be given/transmitted digitally. Writing in planner when Skyward has a calendar seems archaic.
Why is this parent spending 1/2 hour on skyward. Shouldn't that be your kid's job? Get off skyward and let your kids figure out their asignments. It is their responsibility not yours.
Yes the RS website needs improvement. I am sure the school system can save some money reducing the IT department, keeping those that really know what to do in the payroll.
For parents Skyward should be more than sufficient for grades, emails, and extra curricular payments.
On the other hand, good teachers deserve independence in their classroom...
Let the teachers use what works for them and the students. The teachers that care choosevthe "program" that suits their teaching style and that will be helpful for the students. They are preparing the HS students for college stop being a parachute parent ...
The parent is right. There should be one "blackboard" type system that all the teachers use. What's the big deal? Having kids check half a dozen places for assignments is a waste of time and completely inefficient. And as far as getting assignments in class is concerned, some teachers don't do that. Plus systems like Blackboard are used at the college level so kids should be accustomed to managing their assignments this way.
We need one standard interface across all schools. Teachers should not be free to use what works for them, they are not artists. They must get with the program or get out. Some just do not like working with computers.
I'm continually amazed by how deeply parents are involved in their children's schoolwork and social life. My parents didn't even know what electives I was taking and barely looked at my report cards Granted, I got all "A"s, but I know that nobody's parents paid attention to that stuff and we didn't want them to. In the pre-internet, pre-email era I sent away for catalogs and figured out which schools to apply to and I got into one and packed my own bags and they drove me there. Jeez. No wonder young adults in their 20s are still texting mom about what to eat for lunch. Hands off or they won't see the need to grow up.
i really like skyward and i guess am lucky that my child's teachers make effective use of it. some use another one but the basics of assignments and due dates and grades are in skyward and between tracking there and my discussions with my child, i feel on top of the educational process as a parent.
only complaint? well if we have so many different "tools" does this not mean we are spending MORE than necessary? that should be rectified.
Yes, everything should be standardized.
However, this post gives off an extreme "hover-over-the-shoulder" vibe.
Standardize. If people chose to "hover", that is their right. Maybe they hover because they want to ensure that their kids have found their way through the RPS website maze. Just make things less confusing.
Okay 1:23, we get it. Your parents didn't give a crap about you. But some parents do care and some students do not get automatic A's and need assistance, sometimes testing. So get over it.
I am the poster who spends up to 1/2 hour a day tracking down homework. I do not consider myself a helicoper parent; I am a parent who wants to ensure that my childs homework is done each and every night (correctly) and that they understand time management. One of children is a main-streamed special ed. student who does need assistance with organization. He's supposed to get support in school but that's just not happening despite my best efforts. I would do anything to NOT spend time looking up homework but, at this point, it is an absolute necessity. In school, they are teaching more and more technology to all students. Why isn't all parent-teacher related material available on one site?
I think the teachers should be taught some organization, time-management and technology. It's silly that one teacher gets minimally trained in a software application like Skyward or Blackboard and this is expected to turn around and teach the other teachers. Spend some of those "professional development days" or NJEA Convention days actually learning these software applications.
10:06, I've been through what you are going through. If your child has been tested and is receiving accomodations, his rights are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Watch how fast these lazy teachers comply when you email them that they are violating your child's rights. And FYI, these rights extend through college. Many colleges have disabilities services to help students with learning issues get the support they need to rise to their potential. My child is now an A student in a competative college. Best of luck to you.
10:54 - Thanks for your support. Yes, my child has been tested and is SUPPOSED to receive accomodations but the teachers (including collaborative teachers) do nothing in response to my inquiries/guidance/complaints. I've even met with teachers and case worker but to no avail; they fail to comprehend the disability we are dealing with. Do I have to speak with Kerry Huntington?
10:54, have a sit down with your child's guidance councilor and make sure everything you think your child needs is included in his IEP or 504 or whatever type of accomodation he has. You can suggest things and get them added that will help him and help you to help him. You can include teachers contacting you to alert you to certain situations. The next step is that each teacher is required to read the revised plan and sign off on it.
Next comes the emails. Nothing says it better than reminding these teachers in writing that your child is entitled to these accomodations and if necessary, you can remind them that lack of compliance is a violation of his civil rights. By the way, emails are a great form of documentation. Keep an email folder for each school year going forward so you can refer back to any of this if necessary as you deal with each teacher and each school subject. It really empowers you to help your child when you have total recall of your dealings with these teachers.
I was able to afford a learning consultant to work with my child outside of school once a week which was a big help. If that is out of your budget, the school should have someone who can work with him and make suggestions to you about how to help him at home. I also used a tutor for a class with a particularly horrible teacher.
I know it can be disheartening at times, but don't give up. I always said my child was an A student that acted like a C student and I was right about those A's once I got a handle on how to deal with this. Remember, he's a work in progress. The high school grades were better than the middle school grades and the college grades have been even better yet.
For what it's worth, the collaborative teachers are the absolute worst. And don't think for a minute that these teachers don't understand what's going on with your son. Many of them are lazy and choose not to believe that learning disabilities exist in order to justify their lack of cooperation.
When he gets to the high school, try to get Betty Giele as a guidance councilor. She was amazing and really taught me everything I know about this.
Best of luck to you. Never give up!
Sorry, meant 3:26.
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