Chapter 6 Partner with Families and the Community

Chapter 6 Partner with Families and the Community Build Relationships For Learning Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Building Relationships for Learning q A meeting of parents provides mutual support in raising their children with special needs q One teacher reaches out to a child with a severe learning disability and she blossoms!! q Special educators tell the parent that their child does not belong in a general education class. q The industrial arts teacher is supportive and open but too afraid to speak up q The parent gets support from other parents. Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 2 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

“Before I took this class, I thought that I would be teaching math, science, reading, and social studies. Now I know that I will be teaching children, and with children come families. ” Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 3 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Sights to See Engaging Parents in the Education of Their Children This You. Tube video is useful in making a presentation to parents about how they can be connected in the education of their children. www. youtube. com/watch? v=ZEk. Midcy 960 Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 4 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Partnerships with Parents q Partnerships are important to support learning of children!! q Problems often occur: ü Parents often feel teachers do not care about their children ü Frequent negative feedback ü Even educated, well-informed parents struggle q Parents of minority or low-income backgrounds are particularly likely to have difficulty. Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 5 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What is a family? A network of people who are intimately connected to and responsible for one another. Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie parents mentors child friends grandparents 6 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Family and Community Challenges q Many life stresses - violence, crime, poverty, loss of jobs, divorce, disease, accidents and more! q Parents often feel overwhelmed and alone q Families who have children with special needs have extra stressors q Stressors interact and reinforce one another - poverty, poor housing, lead poisoning Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 7 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Practical Strategies for Building Positive Working Relationships with Parents Conversation with a Middle School Teacher n n Seek to understand the real lives of students Work to make the lives of parents of my students easier - listen, show we care, connect to community resources n n Go to social events to which we may be invited Take time to communicate - personal contacts or phone calls to all parents; begin a relationship BEFORE curriculum night n n n Reports to parents daily for some students with special challenges Open door to parents This all SAVES time in the long run!! Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 8 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

An Ecological Framework Community (microsystem) Circle 1 Circle 2 Inner circle: family, close friends spouse Friends and acquaintances Circle 3 community Participation: acquaintances in local stores, groups or associations Paid helpers (mesosystem) Circle 4 Circle 5 Paid helpers: teachers, dentists Special human services: vocational rehabilitation, welfare caseworkers Administration and policy (exosystem) Society and culture (macrosystem) Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 9 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

An Ecological Framework IMPLICATIONS n All aspects of the environment have an impact on child development and growth. n The most critical influences are in the inner circles. n If a child does not receive the needed support, the school must become the caring community where children are nurtured and supported. n The school should develop partnerships with the community to link resources to families. Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 10 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Focal Point �Options of Educational Services SYSTEM CENTERED n Organized for the convenience of the system n Both the most typical and least desirable approach n The strengths and needs of the system drive the delivery of service CHILD-CENTERED n Focused on the needs of the child n Usually without consideration for the family context n The strengths and needs of the child drive the delivery of services FAMILY-CENTERED n Focused on the total family unit n Child is considered in context of the family unit n The strengths and needs of the family drive the delivery of services Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 11 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

PRACTICES in a FAMILYCENTERED SCHOOL n n n n Engage parents as partners Affirm and build on family strengths and gifts Honor cultural diversity Treat families with respect and dignity Promote family choices Welcome parents into the school as partners Welcome and care about children with special needs Communicate effectively with families Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 12 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Communicating Effectively with Families n n n Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie Explain how our teaching works and helps children learn Be a resource and support for families Listen reflectively Communicate positively about children Ask for input, ideas, and involvement of families Engage in parent–teacher conferences and planning meetings 13 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Respond to the Needs of Families with Ethnic, Cultural, and Language Differences q Seek to understand be sensitive to the past experiences of parents in schools q Help parents feel comfortable - invite them to our class; provide email addresses and cell phone #’s. q Demonstrate an interest in the culture of the parents q Seek to understand social customs and interaction styles q Attend events in the neighborhood Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 14 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Respond to the Needs of Families Who Are Poor q Treat with respect seeking to understand their daily struggles q Develop ways to contact and interact - consider a home visit q Understand impact of school expectations - funds for supplies or field trips q Create opportunities for students to complete homework at school q Know community resources that can help parents and facilitate connections Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 15 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Respond to the Needs of Families of Gifted and Talented Children q Explain to parents how we use inclusive, multilevel instruction to challenge all children at their own challenge level q Obtain input from parents regarding the interests and needs of their child q Parents of high functioning children are attracted to the idea of multilevel teaching in a class where their children can develop leadership skills Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 16 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Respond to the Needs of Families of Students Who Are Gay q Treat like any other parent q Our role is NOT to communicate to parents that their children are gay. q Listen with empathy to concerns that parents may have q Have information regarding homosexuality and share this with parents to help them understand their children Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 17 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Respond to the Needs of Families of Children with Special Needs q Understand the experiences and challenges of parents - ask questions and listen q Understand grief parents may feel q As with all families, be aware of the potential for abuse q Be knowledgeable about family to family support networks and formal services for families Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 18 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Respond to the Needs of Families of Children with Special Needs q Provide information regarding inclusive education and teaching to parents so they can make informed choices q Help parents understand the importance of their child being included q Understand the stress required by being an advocate for children q Continue to learn regarding how children with special needs are being supported as community members Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 19 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Gift That Teachers Have for Parents q Parents of children with challenges often have a long history of struggles, isolation, frustration q We can welcome these parents and their children into our class q Develop brochures and opportunities to express our welcome of true diversity q Help parents make connections with one another and needed resources Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 20 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 21 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Parents of my kids don’t care! Parents of MY kids care too much!! Attitudes of educators to parents. Some common perceptions of ‘problem’ parents as. . . q Helicopter parents – who hover their children and get in the way of their developing self-reliance. q Teacher’s pests – parents who ask too much of the teacher and school. q Monster parents – who are constantly looking for reasons to disagree with educators. q Dry-cleaner parents – who drop their rambunctious kidds off and want them all cleaned up and proper by the end of the day Can we get beyond these stereotypes to reach out? Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 22 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Linking Home And Classroom Learning n n n Home learning activities n Develop collaboratively with parents n Build on family routines Meaningful engaging homework n Authentic activities n Example: Reading recipes, measuring, and cooking while helping to prepare dinner Reading together Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 23 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Connecting With Community Resources n n n Map resources in the school Map community resources surrounding the school n Individuals n Associations n Institutions n Businesses Develop school-community partnerships Develop connections for families and children in the community Get help from community guides in the area Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 24 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Community Agency Resources n n n n Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie Parent Training and Support Groups Early Intervention and Family Support Protection and Advocacy Family Financial Assistance Community Mental Health Services Neighborhood Family Resource Centers Wraparound Services Full Service Schools 25 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Notes About Parents and Students Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 26 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Back Pack Key Resources for Family Involvement The National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education - advocates for the involvement of parents and families in their children's education and fosters relationships between home, school, and community www. ncpie. org/ The PEAK Parent Center provides resources to families of children with disabilities to advocate successfully for rich, active lives as full members of their schools and communities. www. peakparent. org/ Inclusive Teaching: The Journey Towards Effective Schools for All Learners, 2 e Peterson / Hittie 27 © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.