In light of recent research indicating that absent or disengaged fathers are a significant part of the reason boys fail in school, the UK is hoping that fathers-only parent evenings at schools will get dads more involved.

Especially when parents are separated, fathers are less-likely to attend co-parent functions, or wind up spending the evening arguing with their former partner. Additionally, because many unsupportive dads had a bad experience when they were in school, they find it difficult as adults to embrace the value of education.

But the new measures are no slight on absentee fathers -- quite the opposite, in fact. In an upcoming speech, Alan Johnson, the UK's education secretary, plans to say that fathers "are not optional extras in the family unit - and should not be regarded as such, not in the workplace, the home or the courts".

What do you think? Would a dads-only night get more fathers involved in the child's education?