They feel cold and unapproachable, not parent-friendly. Another reason parents fail to participate in their offspring's school experiences is that schools don't function during hours convenient for working parents. 3 p.m. Parents and caregivers generally do not get home from work at 2 or 3 in the afternoon, which can make it difficult to visit schools. Lunch hours are out because many parents can't get to the school and back to work on their lunch breaks. Many school programs and parent-teacher conferences are held during the day, and parents cannot attend them.
Transportation is also an issue.
And as much as businesspeople bemoan the state of education, not all of them give employees the time to visit schools. School systems are often divisive. Too often, it seems that parents, teachers, administrators, school boards and other support school staff don't seem to be on the same page. They seem pitted against each other. The consequence is that children can get lost in the shuffle - and only the most resourceful, diligent parent or caretaker can sort through the muddle.