Strengthening Teacher-Parent Collaboration to Support Inclusion: Best Practices and Challenges

• Spyridon Kazanopoulos ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea

     Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea

     Leioa, España

     
• Localización: Educación y sociedad: claves interdisciplinares / coord. por Delfín Ortega Sánchez, Alexander López Padrón, 2023, ISBN 978-84-10054-35-6, págs. 790-801
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto Completo Libro
• Resumen

  • Research has shown that inclusive education, which means that all students, even those with specialeducational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are included in regular classes, has several benefits. As education moves toward more inclusive methods, it is becoming more and more important for teachers and parentsto work together to help students with different learning needs fully adopt inclusion. The value of enhancingteacher-parent cooperation in fostering inclusion for children with SEND has been extensively documented inthe literature. The primary objective of this review is to analyze the existing research on teacher-parent cooperation in inclusive classrooms. Moreover, the study identifies best practices for collaboration, effective communication techniques, and effective examples of collaboration in fostering inclusiveness. Also, the difficultiesthat occur in teacher-parent collaboration will be investigated. In an inclusive education system, teachers andschool administrators work together to ensure that all students, regardless of any physical or mental limitationsthey may have, have equal access to the same curriculum and are given equal opportunities to participate in allextracurricular activities. It has been shown that inclusive education improves the academic and social resultsfor students with disabilities and the attitudes of all students toward diversity. Creating a supportive learningenvironment for children with disabilities also involves fostering strong partnerships between teachers andparents. Collaboration between these two groups is essential for achieving successful inclusion in education.To this end, implementing strategies that facilitate effective cooperation and engagement between teachersand parents is crucial. Facilitating effective cooperation between teachers and parents involves several keystrategies, such as encouraging open communication, establishing clear objectives and responsibilities, andbuilding trust between these two groups. Good communication skills, including active listening, empathy,and clear and concise language, are also critical for promoting productive collaboration. In addition, makingdecisions together is an essential component of successful teamwork. This may involve working together tocreate individualized education programs (IEPs) that meet the unique needs of each child and providing feedback on classroom activities. To foster successful collaboration, it is important to maintain an open and honestdialogue, show mutual respect, and be willing to compromise when necessary. However, despite the benefitsof collaboration, obstacles may arise, including disparities in expectations, communication barriers, and powerimbalances. Successful teamwork necessitates recognizing these obstacles and resolving them constructively.Furthermore, examples of effective teacher-parent cooperation in inclusive classrooms are presented to illustrate the beneficial impact such collaboration may have on the academic and social outcomes of students withSEND. Reported cases of effective teacher-parent cooperation in fostering inclusion include partnerships inwhich parents are actively engaged in the education of their children, cooperative problem-solving and decision-making, and shared accountability for the student’s growth. To summarize, strengthening teacher-parentcollaboration is essential for creating inclusive classrooms where students with disabilities can thrive. Througheffective communication, collaborative decision-making, and the implementation of best practices, teachersand parents can work together to ensure that students with disabilities receive the support and accommodationsthey need to succeed academically and socially. Although challenges may arise, they can be resolved throughopen communication and a dedication to the shared objective of assisting the student. As educators and researchers continue to explore and develop best practices for strengthening teacher-parent collaboration, thepotential for inclusive education to benefit all students and the wider school community remains promising.