(From The Atlantic and JC Associates) College counselors at elite secondary schools are vulnerable to quitting when parents make unreasonable demands and act belligerently, as detailed in a recent story in The Atlantic. Parents have been known to voice their displeasure with school personnel by threatening bodily harm, lawsuits and social media posts asking for the removal of a teacher or principal as well.
When considering how to respond, consider their perspective, suggests consultant Jimmy Casas. Parents are upset because they are passionate about their child and their school. A parent’s simple acceptance of an unwelcome result may be more worrisome because it demonstrates the parent thinks engaging is not worthwhile, that he or she no longer cares, or has decided that nothing is ever going to change; it may be a sign the family will move on to a new school. At the same time, schools must consider actions to correct a toxic culture of competition, such as communicating openly with parents and setting clear boundaries.
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