Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Nevin, Ann I.

Titel

Why Are Parent Partnerships a Puzzlement? A Commentary

Ist Teil von

• Journal of educational and psychological consultation, 2008-09, Vol.18 (3), p.259-263

Ort / Verlag

Taylor & Francis Group

Erscheinungsjahr

2008

Quelle

Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• In what ways might people counteract the prevailing practices that encourage school professionals to resist, ignore, avoid, and discount parental opinions, perspectives, desires, and knowledge about their children's lives? In what ways might parents themselves inform the process of increasing involvement and establishing partnerships? The studies described by Mueller, Singer, and Draper (this issue) and Esquivel, Ryan, and Bonner (this issue) provide hope for the future of family-school partnerships. In these two research reports, the authors briefly review the research and practice so as to contextualize the importance of their exploratory studies. Moreover, both studies rely on qualitative approaches so as to illuminate the sometimes invisible or unspoken practices related to parent involvement. In this article, the author comments on these two research reports and discusses how these two differed in scope. The authors of both studies have provided inspiring examples of how school personnel can foster, nurture, and celebrate parent involvement, especially given the prevailing perception that parents are reluctant to participate in the education of their children. However, the author contends that the perception of parent reluctance to be involved is "a puzzlement" in light of the history of education with respect to parents who have hired governesses or tutors for their children and established schools designed to educate their children. (Contains 1 footnote.)