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School Conferences & Activities Leave

Background
Parental involvement helps children to be successful in school. However, time and work constraints are limiting parent contact with teachers and parent participation in school activities.

Legislative History

Effective on April 26, 1988, the Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act provides for a specified amount of unpaid leave for employees of large employers who may need transition time for the birth or adoption of a child or who may need to attend to their own medical needs or those of a family member. Covered employers (those with 50 or more employees) must grant six weeks of family leave in a 12-month period and two weeks of medical leave in a 12-month period to covered employees.

WEAC supported Assembly Bill 796 last session to allow parents to take unpaid leave to attend teacher conferences and school activities.

WEAC Position

The Wisconsin Education Association Council supports legislation allowing parents to take up to 16 hours of leave time from work to participate in children's school activities and conferences that cannot be scheduled during nonworking hours.

Talking Points

  • Demanding work schedules combined with time constraints hinder parents' ability to participate in their children's education.
  • Research shows the many benefits of parental involvement in a child's education, including:
    • Higher grades and test scores
    • Better attitudes and behavior
    • Better school attendance
    • More homework completed
    • Less chance of requiring placement in special education
    • Greater likelihood of graduating from high school
    • Better chance of enrolling in postsecondary education
  • Making it easier for parents to get time off of work to attend teacher conferences and student activities will increase parental involvement and enhance children's chances for success in school.

Additional Information

Contact Deb Sybell, WEAC Legislative Program Coordinator, at 800-362-8034 ext. 227 or by e-mail at sybelld@weac.org with any reactions, comments or questions.

Posted May 4, 2006

At the Capitol News Archives