1. TEACHER- FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
JoAnne Curatalo
EDU
April 12, 2000

2. JUST THE FACTS
Parents who are involved in their child’s academic life have a profound effect on the child’s ability to learn.
Involved parents also help instill in their children an appreciation for learning that can last a life time.
Higher long-term academic achievement
More positive attitudes and behaviors
Better attendance rates
Greater willingness to do homework

3. JUST THE FACTS CONTINUED
Parental involvement at home is not enough
Children from low-income and minority families have the most to gain from parental involvement
Parents do NOT have to be well educated to help their children

4. How can we reach this goal????
Children, families, and schools all benefit when families and teachers work together.
However many families and teachers are not trained enough to accomplish this goal. Teachers
and parents struggle to connect in a meaningful way that helps improve student learning.
How can we reach this goal????

5. What Teachers Need To Know
About families
Respect and value different cultures
How to involve families
How to talk with families
How to support families in helping their child learn at home
How to support families’ interest and needs
How to share decision making with families

6. Teachers need to know… about families/
diverse backgrounds
Teachers must understand what is in other people’s mind
How do they view themselves
How do they view the world around them
What is important to them
What do they want for their children
Recognize the importance of a community’s historic, ethnic, language, or cultural resources in generating interest in family involvement

7. How to Involve Families
Teachers need to know …
How to Involve Families
Communication is the key!
Begin your school year by writing parents of your students
Introductory letter
Request for information letter
Classroom management rules
Classroom calendar
Homework policy
Volunteer sign-up sheet

8. How to Talk With Families
Teachers need to know…
How to Talk With Families
Many parents get nervous when they need to see the teacher. One sure way to turn off parents is to speak in jargon. Parent want to hear about their children in plain language.
Check if an interpreter is needed before hand.
Be available in person, phone, , letters/notes
Be reliable
Be flexible
Be sensitive- respond to problems and concerns in a positive and compassionate way

9. How to Support families in helping their child
Teachers need to know…
How to Support families in helping their child
learn at home
Teachers should provide information and ideas to families that relate to topics discussed in school such as,
movies, videos, books, articles, web sites
places in the community such as zoo, museum, parks, businesses
resources and services from the community (social services, health clinics)
joint workshops (motivation, special needs, studying tips)

10. How to Support Families’ Interest and Needs
Teachers need to know …
How to Support Families’ Interest and Needs
Invite and encourage family members to share his/her interest such as,
cultural activities
computers skills
musical/artistic skills
cooking, woodworking,
Provide linkages with special service agencies and community groups
Provide workshops on child development, stress management, health issues

11. Teachers need to know… Share Decision Making
Include families in school decisions
Include parents in staff development
Include parents in educational workshops

12. How to Communicate With Hard to Reach Parents
Teachers need to know…
How to Communicate With Hard to Reach Parents
Possible reasons why some parents do not attend school functions
financial reasons
lack of child care
lack of transportation
lack English speaking ability
low sense of self-worth
may not even have a phone
work commitment

13. Communicating with hard to reach parents
Ways to communicate with hard to reach parents
1. Meet parents on their own turf.
2. Cover all language barriers
3. Provide child care during Parent Night
4. Make parent get-together lively and fun (refreshments, door prizes)
5. Call , write, often and send positive notes also

14. What Can Families Do to Help?
Families can help build a strong school community by-
Helping to provide a safe-place to promote learning
Celebrate diverse backgrounds such as holiday traditions
Attend to students’ personal and social needs (attend workshops/guest speakers
Emphasize learning through experience
Provide expanded learning opportunities for students with learning disabilities
Take part in developing policies/decision-making
Join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Help in sports, art, music, theater events

15. What Parents Can Do in the Classroom
Help in small group activities
Tutoring / homework / resource
Help organize and attend field trips
Computer skills
Read to students
Help on class project
Class newspaper or calendar
Class photographer / video
Helping out during high stress times of the day

16. developed by Dorothy Rich
TEN MEGASKILLS
developed by Dorothy Rich
The ten MEGASKILLS are skills and attitudes needed to succeed in school and and life.
1. CONFIDENCE- feeling able to do something worthwhile
2. MOTIVATION- wanting to do something worthwhile
3. EFFORT- being willing to work hard
4. RESPONSIBILITY- do what’s right
5. INITIATIVE- moving into action
6. PERSEVERANCE- completing what you start
7. CARING- showing concern for others
8. TEAMWORK- work with others
9. COMMON SENSE- using good judgement
10. PROBLEM SOLVING- Putting what you know and what you can do into action

17. ALWAYS THANK YOUR VOLUNTEERS
LASTLY
ALWAYS THANK YOUR VOLUNTEERS
End - year reception
Provide invitations / refreshments / awards / certificates
Flowers
Thank you notes
Have students write letters /thank you cards / draw pictures

18. Works Cited
Eggen, P., Kauchak, D. (1999). Educational psychology . Columbus, OH: Merrill.
Friend, M,. Bursuck, W. (1999). Including students with special needs. Needham Heights, MA: Viacom Company.
( 1) National Education Association of the United States. (1996). Building parent relationships.
(2) Swick, K. (1991). Teacher-parent partnerships to enhance school success in early childhood education. National Educatio;n Association of the United States.
Websites
Early Childhood Digest: Families and Teachers as Partners

19. Works cited continued
(3) Family / School Partnerships Guidelines for Schools and School Districts
Reaching Out to families From Diverse Background