Database valuable if parents will use it

As a newly retired teacher, I applaud the

Palm Beach County School District’s introduction of the SIS Gateway — the addition that will finally allow parents to fully access almost every aspect of their child’s grades and progress in school. The only catch is that parents must make a commitment to take advantage of it, and actually use the technology provided. Many times in the past, a parent had come to a meeting with little or no information on their child’s current graduation status, report card grades or subject area achievement — either because they didn’t access the information on the previous system, or the child didn’t bring home a report card or progress report.

Parents will now have full access to everything school-related, regardless of what their child tells them; and it is their job to confirm everything, with no surprises at meetings or conferences.

Teachers are responsible for entering grades, attendance, tests and assessments, but unless the information is used, evaluated, and accessed by the parent or guardian, any system the district implements will be useless.

Congratulations to the district for taking this step in order to allow parents the capability of becoming and remaining part of their child’s education.

KAREN EISMANN, BOYNTON BEACH