by Lori Morrow

Here are ten things parents and guardians can do in response to the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) graduation rate audit:

1. Read the Executive Summary of the report if you haven’t already, regardless of what grade your child is in.
2. Read the sections of the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook that relate to attendance and graduation requirements (and the rest of it too if you can find the time).
3. Make sure you are meeting your parent responsibilities by getting your child to school every day.
4. Set high expectations for your children and provide them the support they need to meet them.
5. Check grades and attendance regularly in the Schoolmax Family Portal and contact teachers if you see any errors/discrepancies.
6. Attend parent teacher conferences to understand how your child is doing in school.
7. Ask teachers and guidance counselors about graduation requirements that you don’t understand.
8. Keep your own file (hardcopy or digital) of documentation for credit make-up work and Service Learning Hours.
9. If you find that procedures are not being followed, bring that to the attention of someone at a higher level (whether that is the principal, the Instructional Director, the Ombudsman, the CEO or the Board of Education).
10. If you see a better way to do things, bring that to the attention of someone as well. We can ALL find solutions.

To find out more about the Graduation Rate Audit:

PGCPS webpage: http://www1.pgcps.org/graduation-audit/

Maryland State Department of Education Press Release & complete report: http://news.maryland.gov/msde/independent-firm-completes-prince-georges-performance-audit/

Read the related post, “Ten Things PGCPS Can Do to Rebuild Community Confidence.”