Teachers should confront "bad parents" and heads should be given powers to fine mothers and fathers who fail to support their children's education, the chief inspector of schools has said.
Sir Michael Wilshaw called for head teachers to be given the authority to impose financial penalties on parents who allow homework to be left undone, miss parents' evenings or fail to read with their children.
The head of the schools watchdog Ofsted also told The Times that poverty was too often used as an excuse for educational failure among white working-class families, whose children were often out-performed by those from immigrant communities.
His comments come after Education Secretary Michael Gove indicated that parents will face "stronger sanctions" if they fail to ensure their children turn up to school and behave properly, potentially in the form of deductions from benefits.
Speaking about his own experiences as a head teacher in London's inner-city schools, Sir Michael told the newspaper: "I was absolutely clear with parents; if they weren't doing a good job I would tell them so. It's up to head teachers to say quite clearly, 'You're a poor parent'.
"If parents didn't come into school, didn't come to parents' evening, didn't read with their children, didn't ensure they did their homework, I would tell them they were bad parents.
"I think head teachers should have the power to fine them. It's sending the message that you are responsible for your children no matter how poor you are."
Sir Michael praised some schools in inner-city areas as among the best-performing, saying: "London is showing that all children can do well, including poor children, and what we need to do is replicate what's happening here elsewhere. There's too much variability and inconsistency across the country."
It was striking that white British children were now doing worst of all, he said, and the gap between white British children from poorer families and those from other ethnic groups needs closing to catch up with the world's leading nations.
"Immigrant communities are doing very well educationally and it should be recognised that they've added value to this country's performance," he said.
Poverty was all too often used as an excuse for failure by white working-class families, he added, saying: "It's not about income or poverty. Where families believe in education they do well. If they love their children they should support them in schools."
Sir Michael also said he agreed with the Government's reforms to exams and called for the return of textbooks.
He backed Mr Gove's plans for radical changes, calling them "absolutely necessary", and urged heads to embrace their increased autonomy and "get on with it. Stop moaning, that's my message to head teachers".
