Keep in Touch With the School. Parents cannot afford to wait for schools to tell them how children are doing. Visiting the school and talking to teachers or having a phone conversation are good steps. Parents need to check on whether their children are assigned meaningful homework in appropriate amounts and are challenged to do their best. If children are not being challenged academically, families need to find out how they can change this situation.
Parents have to understand the hierarchy of education.
If the principal isn't responsive, then go higher. Go to the superintendent. Go to the division of high schools or the community school board. Participate in your community school board elections, which not enough parents do at all, especially in the big cities. They have to understand that there are individuals who are higher up that are accountable to them.