There was consensus that most of the issues are in the junior and high school levels.  Specifically, Dr Dutra commented that the tool most commonly used by teachers to notify parents about missed assignments is the districts “Progress Report”. The problem with this notification system is that those are mailed out mid quarter and by the time they are received by parents 6 weeks of a nine week quarter are over. This leaves little time for parental intervention. Staff pointed out that parents always have the ability to ask for a Friday progress report.

This report is taken to each student on a Friday for the teacher to note grades and any missing assignments. However, again this is dependent on the student to take to teachers and is also a system that is considered flawed by some. Dr. David Dutra stated that from the amount of complaints he has heard from parents the policy of teachers notifying parents about missing assignments is not happening. He stated “This is the problem I am having; if the teacher is assigning the work then they have the responsibility to notify parents of students consistently missing assignments.” Dutra stated “If we have the ability to help the parents be more involved we should do it”. Board President and former Amador High School Principal Mary Walser stated that Principals need to review the policy with their staffs at the beginning of the year and then again mid year. She stated “It needs to be gone over carefully. Staff members may not be clear.”