Could Struggles in Your Child’s Classroom Be Rooted at Home?
While debates rage over teacher performance, funding, and curriculum, one retired educator suggests we may be looking in the wrong place. What if the real bottleneck to student success isn’t the school at all—but parental involvement?
Education sparks debate because everyone has opinions about what children need, how schools should operate, and what the ultimate goals of the system are.
Childhood shapes not only academic skills but also social, emotional, and moral foundations that last a lifetime. Naturally, concerns about teaching methods, school accountability, and parental involvement are often passionate—and sometimes heated.
Lessons From the Classroom
Few voices carry as much weight as those of educators who have spent decades in classrooms. Lisa Roberson, a retired teacher, became a viral figure in 2017 after publishing an open letter in the Augusta Chronicle that offered candid insights into the daily realities of schools.
Even before the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Roberson argued that many challenges in schools stemmed not from teachers, but from parental disengagement. She wrote bluntly:
“The teachers are not the problem! Parents are the problem! They are not teaching their children manners, respect, or even basic social skills.”
Her words reframed the conversation: schools cannot succeed in isolation.
What Teachers See Daily
Roberson shared vivid examples: students arriving with expensive shoes or gadgets but lacking pencils or notebooks. Teachers often fill these gaps themselves, highlighting systemic pressures and inequities. Her goal was not to shame families, but to illuminate a reality that affects every classroom.
She emphasized the consequences of parental inaction: Are parents attending conferences? Communicating with teachers? Ensuring children come prepared with materials? Without these basic responsibilities, students’ academic experiences suffer.
Learning also requires student accountability. Completing assignments, taking notes, and engaging in class are essential habits—ones that families must support at home.
Beyond Academics
Roberson highlighted that social and emotional skills—manners, respect, collaboration—often begin at home. When parents neglect these lessons, teachers must fill the gaps under already significant constraints. Classroom disruptions, disengaged students, and a lack of preparation reduce overall learning outcomes.
Communication between schools and families is another key factor. Ignoring emails, phone calls, or scheduled meetings weakens the support network students rely on. Schools can provide instruction, but parents must reinforce learning at home for education to thrive.
Public Response and Continued Relevance
Her letter drew immediate attention. Some applauded her honesty, others reflected on gaps in their involvement, and some pointed to systemic inequities as the root cause. Despite differing perspectives, her core message remains: schools cannot fully compensate for absent parental engagement.
The COVID-19 pandemic made her point even clearer. Remote and hybrid learning put a spotlight on home support. Students without guidance struggled, proving Roberson’s insights were not only valid but increasingly urgent.
A Roadmap for Parents
Roberson’s message is actionable:
Participate actively in your child’s education.
Communicate consistently with teachers.
Provide basic tools and materials.
Reinforce values, discipline, and social skills at home.
This partnership between parents, students, and educators is essential for meaningful learning.
Conclusion
Lisa Roberson’s words remain timeless: effective education requires collaboration. Parents cannot abdicate responsibility, and teachers cannot compensate indefinitely for disengaged families. By showing up, supporting, and holding children accountable, parents play a critical role in shaping not just academic success, but character and social skills. Her letter is more than critique—it’s a roadmap for meaningful parental involvement and a brighter future for students everywhere.