Just a few generations ago, schools encouraged parental participation in the educational process but didn't consider it a prerequisite for students to progress academically. Immigrant parents, many of whom didn't even speak English, couldn't reteach lessons at home or unravel homework assignments, and they certainly couldn't check them. Parents who worked evenings couldn't supervise their children to make sure they studied. Many found it impossible to attend parent-teacher conferences and school events. Students were responsible for paying attention in class so they could learn, and teachers could hold them accountable if they didn't try. When they administered consequences to eliminate behavior problems and ensure students did their work, administrators and parents backed them up.

A number of societal changes have altered the way teachers operate. Teachers' authority to teach as they see fit has been severely limited, as well as their ability to enforce limits to ensure that students behave and do their schoolwork. Modern educators are adamant that parents must take up the slack by setting limits at home and being actively involved in their tween's education. Unfortunately, controlling your child's behavior when you are at home or work and he is at school is difficult, if not impossible.