In my workshops, I’m constantly asked: “What’s the best approach to stop parents questioning the learning and teaching taking place in schools?”
It’s the wrong question.
Parents have every right to know and understand exactly what is happening in schools. Much better questions are:
“What changes are needed to make sure parents are better informed?”
“How can we ensure genuine parent-teacher relationships?”
And, more importantly:
“What do parents need to know in order to ‘take the lead’ in their child’s education?”
Schools don’t raise children – parents do! Schools provide the service of teaching, which assists parents in the education of their children.
For parents to take the lead in their child’s education, they must be encouraged to learn more about what is expected of their child’s teachers, the strengths teachers bring to their roles, and the support available to help them provide the service for which they are qualified.
Whatever falls outside their qualification or capability shouldn’t be a burden on their shoulders; it should be placed in the capable hands of other, more appropriate, service providers.
In genuine partnerships, parents and teachers share fundamental principles, maintain boundaries, and show respect, support and honesty. They also understand that neither home nor school alone has what it takes to raise ‘the whole child’. That’s something they do together.
Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Lacey All rights reserved.
Parent, educationist and advocate of agitating change in Australian education. By raising the bar we can face any global challenges facing Australia and Australians.
Contact Cheryl on cheryl@cheryllacey.com
