Parent Power
When schools closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, parents suddenly became their students’ teachers or at least their learning facilitators. Many looked forward to the day when they could send their kids back to a traditional classroom setting. In contrast, others realized they enjoyed the freedom and autonomy of homeschooling.Â
A new trend in education is parent empowerment. This refers to parents feeling more empowered to make choices about their children’s education. This empowerment is not limited to choosing homeschooling; it extends to other alternative forms of schooling, such as private schools, charter schools, virtual schools, micro-schools, and various hybrid homeschooling arrangements. This trend is not just a shift in educational choices; it’s a movement that could reshape traditional public schools’ landscape.
Parents are also exerting themselves within schools by advocating for changes in curriculum and instruction—whether moving to reading instruction in line with the evidence of how students become good readers or changing the way the books in a school library reflect a community’s values.
This parent-power movement is creating a flourish of different schooling arrangements as parents want to ensure their children make progress in their development. A big question for this movement will be the sustainability of micro-school supply and other educational options. Many micro-schools that have popped up are small co-ops that a former public school teacher decided to create. Will these communities be sustainable in the long run? We don’t know for certain, yet. For-profit and nonprofit companies are also continuing to grow to fuel the micro-school movement—from Wildflower School’s Montessori micro-schools to Acton Academy and Kaipod Learning. There’s never been more learning options available to parents and students than there are right now.
How does this new movement impact traditional public schools? Obviously, it impacts enrollment, which ultimately impacts funding. However, options are okay and welcome! Parents want options and a say in their child’s education and overall day-to-day experience. That makes sense. It is their child, after all. Parent empowerment is not harmful, but there is a difference between parent empowerment and manipulation. Parent empowerment can be a powerful resource for both traditional and non-traditional schools. If an empowered parent wants to be involved with their child, they should have the opportunity to be appropriately engaged. A positive school environment reflects a positive community; parents make up a large part of each community.
However, it is impossible to please everyone. Some parents will prefer non-traditional school methods for their children, and there are plenty to choose from. Others will opt for a more traditional style of public or private school, and there are plenty of those as well. It shouldn’t be educators vs. parents; that will never work—and it’s not working. The key is for educators and parents to work together, which equals collaboration and student success. When educators and parents collaborate, they create a supportive and conducive learning environment that benefits all students, and everyone involved. Who wouldn’t want that?
Written By: Meredith Biesinger
Professional Writer/ Education Specialist
Meredith Biesinger is a licensed dyslexia therapist in Mississippi, in addition to being an experienced classroom teacher and K-12 administrator. Meredith also works as a consultant, where she bridges the bridge the gap between K-12 school districts and ed-tech organizations. With a passion for literacy, she is also a professional writer and syndicated author. With a M.Ed in Educational Leadership and a B.S. in English Education and Creative Writing, she has had rich and diverse opportunities to teach students and education professionals in different parts of the country as well as overseas.
Interested in learning more about the education market, or looking to contribute? We want to hear from you!
