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Parent urges Harmony Public Schools — Houston South for clearer grades, faster staff communication and safer after-school access
Summary
At the Feb. 22 Harmony Public Schools — Houston South board meeting, parent Rahag Kamal urged the board to strengthen grading transparency, timelier communication about cancelled after‑school activities, and clearer on-campus access for student safety.
Rahag Kamal, a parent of a ninth grader in the Harmony Public Schools system, addressed the Harmony Public Schools — Houston South board during public comment on Feb. 22, asking the board to improve grading transparency, adult-to-adult communication and student safety.
"I really appreciate Harmony's core culture... but there are areas of improvement, and I come to you to discuss areas of mutual accountability, mutual productivity, mutual transparency," Kamal said. She described a recent geometry assignment where her daughter received a 90 while the class average was about 30, saying that such gaps should trigger school follow-up and more granular grading information for parents.
Kamal asked for a more robust grading policy that shows how student work is evaluated, arguing that the same expectations placed on students — such as showing work on math problems — should be reflected in how adults explain and record grades. "Granularity, that level of transparency, should be present," she said.
She also described problems with instructional materials and course organization, saying some course folders contained only one or two units while tests covered four units. Kamal said those gaps indicate staff-level issues that should be investigated so honors and on‑level classes match expectations for students labeled as honors.
On safety and communication, Kamal asked the district to notify parents promptly when teachers cancel after‑school commitments so students are not left on campus without supervision. She also raised an example in which a gate previously opened to provide a safer walking route from a church parking lot was closed, and asked for clear communication or an alternative paved route.
Kamal closed by urging collaborative work between parents and leadership to implement policy and operational changes that would address these concerns.
The remarks were made during the public comment period and did not result in immediate board action; the meeting proceeded to consent and action items afterward.
