Millenial Parent Orphans

Young, Dillon and Moje talk about how "the parents of Millennials resolved to stay involved in their children's lives (unlike some gen-x parents before them)" (Alverman, 114).

I've been thinking a lot about this lately as I observe 4 teachers in the Newark Valley School system. Classes here are generally divided by student ability. It's easy to see the students who have "millennial parents" described above. They're in the AP classes, generally. But I'm wondering about the kids whose parents aren't standing behind them academically. Who's helping them build their portfolios and how?
In at least 40% of the students I observed, there is an obvious absence of this mythical millennium parent.Who's helping these students build their portfolios? Their interests? Their range of experiences and thoughts? When does it start happening? Is anyone doing this? Or is it just up to English teachers? What about guidance counsellors? Administrators?

I'm glad that the authors included the case of Mario, but the vast majority of students who are millenium parent orphans don't have his innate enthusiasm. Somewhere along the line it needs to be taught.. let me guess. The English teacher is the best person for the job.

I was relating a triumphant "teachable moment" I had with a millenia parent orphan with my host teacher today. Giving me an all knowing smile, she said, "You're going to be one exhausted teacher." I hope though, that when I try to help expand a portfolio of a student that doesn't have the parent(s) described in the text, I feel energized instead of exhausted. Right now I'm wondering...