As the new Wake County school board members try to improve the school system, it strikes me that they are fighting a losing battle. They are focused on low-income or ESL statistics, neighborhood schools, merit pay, etc. In reality the factors affecting the education of our children are found at home.
Generally speaking, children who come from a two-parent household where one parent stays at home have a higher likelihood of success. The stay-at-home parent can dedicate more time to helping a child prepare for school, assist with homework and volunteer in the classroom. Families who eat dinner together regularly also usually talk to their children more about the day, and this time provides more teaching opportunities.
Our society's shift to a greater number of single-parent homes and homes with two working parents is what is creating the inequalities among students. Some families are in these situations out of necessity rather than choice; however, a decline in values as well as a shift in material desires versus needs is resulting in more of these homes.
