Technology in use by the Suffolk Public Schools system makes it easier than ever to be involved in your child’s education.

A program aptly called “Parent Connection” lets parents see directly into teachers’ grade books, and also keep track of daily attendance and classroom work.

In use since 2005, the system renders obsolete the days of report cards, when the damage to a child’s final mark may have been done by the time parents found out about it.

Parents only have create an account at gradespeed.spsk12.net, then visit their child’s school to add students to the account.

Judging by numbers provided by Suffolk Public Schools, the system is well used. Individual registrations number nearly 7,900, which is more than half the number of students in Suffolk Public Schools.

However, more parents should take advantage of the system. It can encourage dialogue between children and parents about school. Instead of asking, “What did you learn today?” a parent can ask, “I see you learned about fractions in math class today. Do you need any help with them?” Instead of asking, “How did you do on that test?” a parent can say, “I see you got an A on that test. Great job!” The system also could encourage communication between parents and teachers.

Parental involvement in a child’s education is vital, and programs such as Parent Connection help make it easier. Parents and teachers should both use the system to its fullest advantage and use it to facilitate real-world learning. Suffolk Public Schools should be commended for offering such a tool.