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In this chapter, you will learn about fostering the home-school partnership. One of the most important relationships a teacher can develop is with the families. When a collaborative relationship exists between the home and school there is likely to be continuity within the two environments. In this chapter, you will learn some specific strategies María practiced with Antonio's teachers to foster the home-school partnership.
1. What are some strategies you may see in the classroom to promote home-
school collaboration?
2. What are some ways to include students in the parent-school partnership?
3. Consider the potential impact if there is no partnership between school and home, what are the implications for the students?
One of the most effective ways to promote student growth academically, behaviorally, and socially is through a partnership that bridges the school and home together. When parents and teachers are able to openly communicate about a student, there are more opportunities for student growth between the two environments.
In an effort to promote a home-school partnership with families who are culturally and linguistically diverse, teachers should attempt to implement the following strategies.
One difficult thing for us was that when my son came home from school, all of his written communication about his day was written in English. I had explained to his teachers that Antonio would be coming home from school to his grandmother who spoke Spanish. However, all written communication about his day came home in English. I can clearly remember my mom calling me saying “I think Antonio had a really bad day because I can read one or two words here and it doesn’t look good.” I would call the school and find out it wasn’t what my mom thought she was reading. It took a while for them to find someone who could at the very least write a sentence or two about his day in Spanish. For me this was significant because if he had a hard time at school that day, she could at least know how to best help him while in her care. Antonio's needs were significant in that he has developmental, physical and medical needs. So that note home to my mom in Spanish was crucial.
Establishing ongoing communication is the first step to establishing a home-school partnership.
Your task: Create a one page communication sheet that will go between the home and school on a daily basis. Identify the information you would like to receive from your students families and other information you think the family should know about their child's school day.
Example information you may want from the home: number of hours the student slept the night before, breakfast eaten, any changes in the family, potential illnesses, etc.
Example information your may want to share with your student's families: behavior at school, social opportunities, goals met, etc.
Harry, B. (1992). Cultural diversity, families, and the special education system: Communication and empowerment. Teachers College Press: New York.
Harry, B. (2002). Trends and issues in serving culturally diverse families of children with disabilities. The Journal of Special Education, 36(3), 131-138.
Harry, B., Allen, N., & McLaughlin, M. (1995). Communication versus compliance: African American parents' involvement in special education. Exceptional Children, 61(4), 364-377.