Parents must take responsibility

A Friday letter to The Herald, “Scrutinize those above principals,” says that the responsibility for failing schools in the Marysville School District lies with the superintendent, assistant superintendent and school board. I suggest the reason lies much closer to home, with parents and families.

My children attended both schools in question, Tulalip Elementary and Totem Middle School (previously Marysville Junior High School); parent support and involvement were in short supply in both schools. Studies consistently show that students’ achievement is directly related to parental involvement. That fact is demonstrated in the Cooperative Program at Quil Ceda Elementary, where students can participate only if their parents volunteer weekly in their classrooms; the Co-op students have the highest test scores in the school district.

Before placing blame with teachers, principals, administrators and school boards, parents should ask themselves what they are doing to help their students and schools succeed.

Kathie Roon

Tulalip