Cobb considers new rule to punish students for poor parent engagement

Students at a Cobb County high school would not be allowed to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities if their parents don't attend meetings with teachers and act more "engaged" in their children's academic work as part of a controversial proposal being considered by school leaders.

Cobb school board member David Morgan proposed the policy and believes it will help boost academic achievement at Pebblebrook High School, a lower-performing school, though parents and education scholars argue it is unfair to poor and working families and that it punishes students for their parents’ inactions.

If passed, the policy would be the first of its type among metro Atlanta schools that keeps students from participating in extracurricular activities because of their parents' lack of involvement. A small group of specialized "theme" schools in DeKalb County also requires parental engagement, and students face possible dismissal from the schools if their parents don't abide by the rule.