Parents as partners in learning

I came across this recently published report on perspectives of parents on America’s High Schools. Some of it at least, could easily be talking about experiences of parents and teachers in Scotland. The introduction suggests that the debate around the role that parents play in the education often ends in the blame game - pointing fingers at parents who do not care enough or at teachers who do not do enough to include parent in learning. Sound familiar? The reality, as the report suggests, is much more complex. Its findings suggest that :

all parents, regardless of background or circumstances, recognise the importance of parental involvement;
all parents see a more demanding world for their children;
but not all schools are providing parents with the right opportunities to become involved.

So what does the research suggest:

give parents the resources and knowledge they need to support their children’s education
involve parents more in the successes;
build involvement around parents’ lives;
bring parents to the centre of education policy debate.

I would say we are working on all of these in Scotland as a result of the Parental Involvement legislation. The Parental Involvement Field Team are working with schools across Scotland where schools and parents are developing better ways of partnership working. I think we are making good progress but we still have some way to go before we reach One dream, one reality!

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