Title: Family-School Partnerships: 9 Beliefs and Attitudes for Success - Institute for Student Achievement
Headings: Family-School Partnerships: 9 Beliefs and Attitudes for Success
Family-School Partnerships: 9 Beliefs and Attitudes for Success
By Abner Oakes

Content: Educators believe in the value of making decisions with parents. They avoid such practices as making decisions in separate meetings prior to meeting with parents. Educators recognize parents’ expertise and seek input from them on a regular basis. Educators believe in including parents when addressing concerns about student learning. Problems are solved mutually and without blaming each other. When students are experiencing school difficulties, school personnel and parents understand that two-way communication is necessary. Families and school personnel realize that they see the children’s behavior in their respective settings and, therefore, withhold judgment until both sides have had an opportunity to provide input. Blame is not attributed to only the family or only the school. Problem solving is based on a positive, strength-based orientation. Families and school personnel operate from a non-deficit model and they focus on strengths of individuals (educators, parents, student).