What Parents Want Schools to Know: Less Jargon

Summary

The video highlights the challenges parents face when educators use jargon and acronyms that are difficult to understand. Terms like GPS, VIP, IEP, and ESOL confuse parents, especially when educational terminology changes over time. A parent of three children with IEPs shares their experience, explaining how overwhelming it can be during meetings. They suggest that educators provide a list of abbreviations to help parents follow along. The video emphasizes the need for teachers to avoid complex language and communicate in a way that parents can easily understand.

Takeaways

• 📝 Teachers often use jargon and acronyms that parents struggle to understand.
• ❓ Parents are overwhelmed by the sheer amount of educational terminology.
• 🔢 Even basic math terms have changed, confusing parents (e.g., rounding terminology).
• 📚 Acronyms like GPS, VIP, IEP, and ESOL are commonly used, leading to confusion.
• 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Parents feel lost without clear explanations, especially when it comes to their children's education.
• 🗣️ Parents with children on IEPs often feel out of place in meetings due to unfamiliar jargon.
• 📄 A glossary or list of terms would be helpful for parents during meetings to keep up with the discussion.
• 💬 Educators should not assume that all parents are familiar with the latest educational terms.
• 😨 Complex terminology can be intimidating and overwhelming for parents.
• 🙌 Clearer, more accessible communication is needed so that parents can better understand and participate.

Q & A

Why do parents often struggle with educational terminology?

Parents struggle with educational terminology because teachers often use jargon and acronyms that are unfamiliar, leading to confusion.

What are some examples of the acronyms mentioned in the transcript?

Examples of acronyms mentioned include GPS, VIP, IEP, and ESOL.

How has math terminology changed over time?

Math terminology has changed; for example, 'rounding to the nearest tenth' is now referred to as 'rounding to the most significant digit.'

What challenge do parents face when attending meetings regarding their children’s education?

Parents often face the challenge of not understanding the jargon and acronyms used during meetings, which makes it difficult for them to follow along.

What suggestion does the speaker offer to help parents during educational meetings?

The speaker suggests that providing a list of acronyms and their meanings during meetings would help parents better understand the discussion.

Why should educators avoid assuming that parents are familiar with educational jargon?

Educators should avoid this assumption because many parents are not up to date with the latest educational terminology, making communication more difficult.

How do parents feel when they encounter unfamiliar educational jargon?

Parents can feel intimidated or lost when confronted with unfamiliar jargon, which can lead to frustration.

What is the speaker’s personal experience with jargon in education?

The speaker, a parent of three children with IEPs, describes feeling overwhelmed by the jargon when they first attended educational meetings.

What is the overall message the speaker is trying to convey?

The speaker is advocating for clearer communication between educators and parents, with less use of jargon and acronyms, to ensure that parents understand what is being discussed.

What is one practical step educators can take to improve communication with parents?

Educators can be more mindful of using plain language and limit the use of acronyms to ensure parents can follow and engage in discussions about their children’s education.