Back to schoolChildrenEducationGeneral NewsPublic opinion Understanding the Disconnect Between Parental Perception and Academic Reality in School Performance by Gabriel Martinez November 15, 2023 written by Gabriel Martinez November 15, 2023 5 comments Bookmark 41 A recent Gallup and Learning Heroes poll reveals a stark contrast between parental perceptions and the actual academic performance of students. The survey found that the majority of parents, nearly nine in ten, believe their children are performing at grade level. However, standardized test results present a different reality, indicating that a significantly lower number of students are meeting expected standards. The reliance on report cards as the primary measure of a student’s progress may be contributing to this discrepancy. Researchers suggest that report cards alone may not provide a comprehensive view of a child’s academic abilities. This gap in understanding can lead parents to overlook the need for additional support or intervention for their children. Bibb Hubbard, the founder and president of Learning Heroes, emphasizes the overreliance on grades as an indicator of grade-level proficiency. Hubbard notes that a good grade does not necessarily equate to mastery of grade-level material, a fact often not communicated to parents. In the Gallup survey, a vast majority of parents expressed confidence in their child’s abilities, with 88% believing their child is on track in reading and 89% in math. Contrasting this, a federal survey reported that half of all U.S. students began the last school year below grade level in at least one subject. Further research in Washington state revealed an inflation of grades during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was attributed to more lenient grading policies implemented by many districts to accommodate the challenges students faced during the pandemic. Dan Goldhaber, a co-author of the Washington state report and director of the Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research, suggests that such leniency might be concealing underlying learning gaps that are evident in standardized tests but not reflected in grades. Despite the allocation of federal pandemic relief funds for academic recovery programs like intensive tutoring and summer academic programs, participation in these initiatives is lower than expected. Goldhaber notes that only a fraction of eligible students are taking advantage of these opportunities. The findings of the Gallup poll highlight a crucial trend: many families may be unaware of the need to act on their child’s academic performance. While half of the parents surveyed had discussed their child’s academic progress with a teacher, the number increases significantly among those aware of their child’s struggles in math. Sarah Carpenter, director of The Memphis Lift, points out that report cards often fail to provide detailed information, such as a child’s reading level, leading to confusion among parents. Similarly, Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, a parent and founder of Parent Shield Fort Worth, stresses the importance of parental knowledge and advocacy in the school system. In conclusion, this disconnect underscores the need for better communication and more informative assessments in education, enabling parents to make informed decisions and adequately support their children’s academic needs. Note: The Big Big News education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, with the AP maintaining full responsibility for all content. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Parental Perception Academic PerformanceHow does parental perception of academic performance differ from actual performance?Why are report cards not sufficient for assessing a student’s academic progress?What has been the impact of COVID-19 on academic grading?Why are parents not fully aware of their child’s academic struggles?What role does parental involvement play in addressing academic performance issues?More about Parental Perception Academic Performance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Parental Perception Academic Performance How does parental perception of academic performance differ from actual performance? Recent surveys, including one by Gallup and Learning Heroes, indicate a significant disparity between parental perceptions and actual academic performance. Most parents believe their children are on track academically, but standardized test results and school reports suggest otherwise, showing many students are not meeting grade-level expectations. Why are report cards not sufficient for assessing a student’s academic progress? Report cards may not provide a complete picture of a student’s academic abilities. They often focus on grades, which do not necessarily indicate mastery of grade-level material. This can lead to a misunderstanding of a student’s true academic standing and needs. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on academic grading? During the COVID-19 pandemic, many school districts adopted more lenient grading policies to accommodate the challenges faced by students. This has potentially led to grade inflation, masking the true extent of learning gaps that are apparent in standardized tests. Why are parents not fully aware of their child’s academic struggles? Parents may not be fully aware of their child’s academic struggles due to a reliance on report cards, which might not accurately reflect a student’s proficiency in key subjects. Additionally, a lack of detailed information about specific skills, like reading levels, contributes to this gap in understanding. What role does parental involvement play in addressing academic performance issues? Parental involvement is crucial in addressing academic performance issues. When parents are informed and engaged, they are more likely to advocate for their child’s educational needs and seek out additional support, such as tutoring or specialized programs, to help their child catch up academically. More about Parental Perception Academic Performance Gallup and Learning Heroes Poll Federal Survey on Student Performance Washington State Report on Grading Impact of COVID-19 on Education The Memphis Lift Parent Shield Fort Worth You Might Be Interested In Wisconsin governor vows budget veto if GOP cuts diversity funds from university system US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea as North’s leader Kim exchanges messages with Putin Hospitals in Gaza on the Verge of Overcapacity as Prospect of Israeli Ground Incursion Heightens 20-Year-Old Female Detained Over Drug Offense Related to Robert De Niro’s Grandson’s Death, States Official Lawsuit Accuses Ex-Blackhawks Coach of Sexual Assault, Claims Team Neglected Response DeSantis sues Biden administration over university accrediting system academic assessmentBack to schoolChildrenGeneral Newsparental involvementPublic opinionreport card analysis Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Gabriel Martinez Follow Author Gabriel Martinez is a science and technology journalist who covers the latest news and developments in the world of science. He is passionate about exploring new frontiers in technology, from artificial intelligence to space exploration. previous post High-Stakes Redistricting Lawsuit in New York’s Top Court next post New York’s high court to hear redistricting case, as Democrats angle to retake US House You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 5 comments LearningLover November 15, 2023 - 3:05 pm we must support parents in understanding their child’s academic needs. Let’s bridge the gap! Reply EdInsider November 15, 2023 - 7:58 pm COVID messed up grading. report cards not telling the full story. parents need the truth! Reply EduAdvocate November 15, 2023 - 10:04 pm schools need better communication with parents! report cards just letters, need more info on child’s skills. Reply Reader123 November 15, 2023 - 11:32 pm report cards not enough? parents think grades great but tests say no! covid made grades wonky too. Reply ParentPower November 16, 2023 - 9:34 am parents, get involved! knowing helps kids. report cards hide real issues. advocacy is key! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ