This article, "Although Parenting is Hard Work, it's Rewarding" by Jenny Holte in the Sun Sailor, got me thinking... Which isn't always a good thing...
What if we changed the tax code to reward "good responsible hard working parents". Currently there is a tax credit for citizens that have children that are 16 yrs old and under, however it phases out based on income. (Child Tax Credit) {bummer: I'm losing one of them this yr as my oldest is now 17... note to self: change with holding...} There are also several other tests.
Now why don't we just insert a test that reduces/increases the payment based on the child's grades or discipline record. People get a financial incentive to support their child, make sure they learn, and make sure they behave.
Or if that seems too biased because the kid's capability varies. Maybe we have the Principals assign each family an "EFFORT" grade??? (0% to 100%) This could go write into the tax form.
Thoughts?
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5 comments:
Oh, sure. So if I step up to oppose the levy, or ask to see what my child's sex education curriculum looks like, what happens to my "effort grade"? How about this, we parents assign an "effort grade" to the SCHOOL, and pay them accordingly?
J. Ewing
Now, I support empowering Principals by giving them the authority to hold Teachers accountable to both objective and subjective criteria. (ie performance reviews, varying raises, dismissals, etc)
Seems logical that we should give them the authority to hold Parents accountable to similar criteria.
As for bias, Teachers will face this at times... Why shouldn't Parents?
Reminder: the Principal works for us Tax payers and not the Parents. Therefore I would like them to call out poor performance at home or in the classroom.
Sorry, but questioning, let alone sanctioning, the ability and performance of employers is not a prerogative given to employees. The principal is the supervisor we hire to guarantee that the work gets done to our satisfaction. The biggest problem in our schools is that "they" think they can do it better, and that all their failures are the fault of the parents. Again, no excuses! Dagnabit, teach the children you are given! If you want to call parents to a conference and suggest that more effort on homework or discipline would be in order, feel free, but do YOUR job first!
J. Ewing
Lord man... You are paying me $3,000 per year because I am a Parent, and funding $33,000 for my girls to go to school. Don't you want me held accountable for making good use of your generousity???
Nope. You are not the one I am paying. Your tax deduction allows you to keep more of your own money, and the taxes you do pay partly support the cost of your kids' educations. I'm happy to help out with the rest [it's a "public good," remember?], but I would like you to help me in holding our contractor responsible for performance. They claim to be the experts and say they can educate all children "to their full potential." OK, fine. Let them deliver that, rather than telling you that you don't know what values your kids ought to be learning, or even what subject matter. If they don't like that, then we should both get a full refund and find another contractor.
J.
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