The Chicago Tribune had a story on the increasing use of electronic grade books by Chicago area schools that both students and parents can access on-line. These accessible grade books started in the high schools, but are now migrating to middle and elementary schools. The idea is to create a tighter link between schools and the home, but some teens view it as an intrusion.
As a parent, I have mixed feelings. I know growing up I would not have been thrilled about my parents having access to every grade I received on every assignment each day, but as a parent I am interested in knowing where my children are having difficulties as well as excelling. Our school district doesn't have electronic grading yet, and so I see my children's homework once a week when they bring home a large folder with all of it stuffed in there.
The story doesn't talk about it, but I suspect that some teachers aren't thrilled to death about electronic grade books either, as I am sure many parents let the teacher know when they think their child's grade is too low. The helicopter parent problem can't be helped by it.
In one way, I am glad our school district doesn't have electronic grading, since I would also would want to know not only the grade but the assignment. This would inevitably lead to trouble, since whenever I found that an instructors made an error (like when one teacher was trying to teach my daughter that copper is naturally magnetic since a "copper fastener" was attracted to a magnet) I would have a hard time letting it slip.
