Currently, the observer cannot filter assignments by the current date. A parent reached out and asked how they can view the most recent assignments first as they get messages that a teacher posted a comment. They have to scroll all the way down.
Quick follow-up question for you: Where are your parents viewing these assignments? is this from the Assignments page? They might find more success if they check the course calendar in the course homepage (there should be a link in the sidebar to "view calendar"). They can also check the course activity stream to view recent updates for their student. (That linked guide shows the student view, but it's the same for observers.)
Let me know if you think this might address your concern. If not, you may need to revise your idea to be more clear about where in Canvas you'd like the most recent assignment list to display (Syllabus, Assignments, Modules, Home Page, etc.).
Thanks for the follow-up response! Before I can move this idea forward for conversation, you'll need to revise it to clarify that you're looking for this change in the Grades page. You can point out that users can filter by assignment name, due date, module, and assignment group, but that it would be helpful to include an option to filter the list to display assignments by most recent [date/activity].
Users can filter by assignment name, due date, module, and assignment group, but that it would be helpful to include an option to filter the list to display assignments by most recent [date/activity].