Interview: National Parents Union’s Keri Rodrigues on Public School Disenrollment Amid the COVID Crisis
Why is the disengagement of American students from public schools an important issue for parents?
Answer: It is fascinating because we don’t often talk about disengagement as disengagement. What we observe is that parents feel marginalized. They have serious concerns about the performance of our public school systems over the past 18 months, and they have explored other options that might suit their children better. Now that they are aware of these alternatives, they are willing to pursue them, especially considering the potential long-term impact of the pandemic and learning loss on their children’s education. They have now become open to the idea that there may be better opportunities available in different educational settings. Therefore, the possibility of unenrolling their children from their current school and enrolling them elsewhere is now on their radar, and they are considering all possible options.
Q: On Wednesday, a collaborative webinar involving my project, the Reinventing American Schools Project, and will take place. You will be one of the panelists, alongside a researcher, a school leader, a politician, and a journalist. Why is it crucial to include the perspective of parents in this discussion?
Q: Has the conversation regarding disenrollment received the appropriate level of attention?
A: I don’t believe so. In the field of education, we often have the tendency to revert back to what is comfortable and familiar, even during times of limited disruption. We cling to a status quo that appears to work well for the adults who oversee the system. However, parents have now experienced the benefits of having choices and options in their children’s education. They have witnessed how their kids learn, or sometimes don’t learn, and when they are engaged or not. They have heard things they appreciate and things they dislike. This should serve as a wake-up call for all, not just parents and families, as they are currently making significant decisions.
Today, I spoke with families who are contemplating private schools, creating pandemic pods at home, or homeschooling their children. These options are being considered, and our educational systems may not be prepared for parents’ newfound understanding that they have alternatives and can remove their children from public education. This will have financial implications. Gone are the days when children were merely seen as expenses and per pupil expenditures that schools felt entitled to from state budgets. Parents are now exercising their right to say, "No, we don’t trust you to adequately educate our children." The system can only learn from this lesson if it is directly impacted financially. It is crucial to engage in conversations with parents and treat them respectfully because, ultimately, the decision lies with them. If they find a better option out of necessity or fear, due to a lack of trust in the system’s ability to address their children’s needs, they will choose that option. This will force the system to change as its budget is affected.
Related74 Interview: Black Mothers on Parent Activism, Self-Determination and the Fight for Educational Change Post-Pandemic
Q: So, what has been lacking in the discussion on disenrollment?
A: The missing piece appears to be a clear understanding that a relationship with parents, families, and the community is crucial. Rebuilding trust is vital if we want parents to re-engage with schools. Educational systems often take it for granted that parents will simply comply with instructions. However, alarm bells are ringing, and people are starting to question what will happen if the children don’t return. What will be the consequences for our budgets and the comfortable status quo we have become accustomed to?
Change is inevitable. A big part of that change relies on whether we have put in the effort to repair the damaged relationship between schools and parents/families. Are we acknowledging the deep distrust that has arisen due to politics infiltrating discussions on school reopening and remote education? Are we addressing concerns about the quality of education our children are receiving, such as the amount of live instruction they have access to and the debates surrounding synchronous and asynchronous learning? Families have witnessed their children being neglected in various aspects and not being served well. This has led to profound mistrust and further damage to a relationship that was already fractured in many communities, without any attempts at restorative justice. Until we acknowledge this deep mistrust and the harm it has caused to the relationship, parents will continue to explore alternative options.
Consequently, school districts will face financial consequences when children do not attend, resulting in a loss of per pupil funding. The money that schools believe they are entitled to will no longer be received, and adjustments will need to be made. There will be a moment of reckoning.
Q: So, for those tuning into the enrollment webinar in collaboration with on Wednesday, what message do you hope they will take away from it?
Get the latest stories like these sent directly to your email inbox by signing up for Newsletter.
