Teachers - how do you communicate with your students' parents?

[btb87]

I posted this in another forum where it was under a different title, but thought I'd bring it "home". Soror Mods, I performed a search and didn't see anything about this, but if there is, do your thang!

For the teachers. . .

Do any of you have a system where the parents can check up on their childrens' homework assignments, grades, etc.? My daughter's teacher asked me for my e-mail address at a meeting a couple of weeks ago, and I just received an e-mail from her about her school's online gradebook. The website is teacherease.com, and it's a way that the teacher will post grades, assignments, progress, behavior problems, etc. I think it's a great idea. I understand also that some schools implement the phone system where there's a recorded message left for the parent that will give their child(ren)'s progress.

I'd love to hear your success stories or disappointments with this communication system. Also, if you're a parent whose school uses this type of system, I'd love to hear your feedback as well.