I am writing in response to Roland Martin's commentary, "Don't Whine: Get Involved In Kids' Education."

I absolutely agree that family involvement is crucial to child success. However, it also takes competent administrators and caring teachers. Without them, parent scan be quickly frustrated with working with the school system- the partnership can fail.

We work in the world of special education, where kids had to have special laws enacted to enforce and protect their right- a right every child in America has- to a free and appropriate public education. Our world is filled with the horror stories of trying to get that education for our kids. We have to fight for it, be active advocates for our kids, or they get the absolute minimum a school can get away with giving. The tales of IEP meetings taking hours upon hours, parents having to sue for basic accommodations, being told your kid isn't worth the money, etc. etc. etc. are endemic.

I suggest a similar problem haunts the "regular" classrooms of America. If parents are not active advocates for their children and their child's education, they are just shuffled along with the minimum the school can get away with, in the name of the Budget.

We see the impact of absent, uninvolved parents every day, in a way that may be more dramatic than a "regular" classroom. Involvement helps. Involvement is important. If mom or dad is alone and working, see if friends or other family can help. Use your email. Use your phone. Talk to those teachers, and make sure your child is getting a free and APPROPRIATE public education.

It is our responsibility as parents to advocate for our children.