Parents as Partners in Education
Strategies for supporting students with disabilities in the classroom, the school community and at home
Minister for School Education The Hon Peter Garrett has formed a working group of education professionals to advise him on improving the education experience of students with disabilities. The group and process does not include the voices of parents, who advocate in the education system on a day to day basis drawing on their wealth of knowledge and expertise about their children.
The Parent as Partners Forum was an opportunity for Peter Garrett to hear from parents as education advocates on what is currently being done and what strategies they see in the short and long term to improve learning and education outcomes for students with disabilities.
The forum covered the following topics:
- how the knowledge and experience of parents could be more effectively used in partnership with educators and schools;
- the potential for schools to play a more coordinated role to support students with disabilities and their families - schools as a community hub; and
- support for teachers and schools to better support learning and education outcomes for students with disabilities.
Voice of Parents
The forum provided an opportunity for participants to provide feedback individually and through group discussion.
The main issues highlighted in each of the topics are:
1. Using the Knowledge and Experience of Parents
- Parents have for 5+ years gained a great deal of knowledge and expertise on their child's disability. This must be acknowledged and respected by the school AND USED.
- Parents must be actively involved in all aspects of their child's education, planning, reviews, class teacher, teaching assistant, etc. Parents must be regularly invited into the classroom.
- Good information is important for parents, enrolment, education department policies, rights, etc, and this must be given to them in written form, eg induction pack.
- Family liaison person (role for local area coordinators?) to assist/guide parents in their discussions and negotiations with teachers and schools. Someone who is an expert on inclusion, who can explain rights, education department policies, legislation, adjustment options, etc. Someone who is 'on the parent's side'.
- A parent voice or communication network that is support in and by local schools.
2. School as a Community Hub
- Cultural change is needed for the whole school, everyone needs an understanding of disability and the right of all children to be included; information material and sessions.
- Schools must be welcoming of all students, 'say hello' initiative
- The school community needs to actively embrace and support the family.
- An inclusive school = an inclusive community as all members of a school are also members of the local community.
- Siblings need support for their education and interaction with their brother/sister. Siblings should not be given responsibility for their brother/sister.
3. Supporting Teachers and Schools
- Parents support the professional development of teachers and teaching assistant. Special education training must be extensively provided during teacher training and throughout a teachers career.
- teachers and schools must use the expertise of the student's therapists
- incentives such as pay, time, and smaller class sizes could be used to support teachers in their development of curriculum and daily plan
- Parents are a resource, they will support teachers in their efforts for their son or daughter
- education plans are important for setting out not only the education milestones for students with disability but to coordinate the additional supports that are available to teachers
Below are links to all the written comments made at the forum. They are typed as they were presented. This is important as people very generously gave of their time and the organisers want to truly represent the views of those present. The verbatim transcripts also enable the participants to see whether their views are reflected in the issues highlighted.
Links: Using the Knowledge and Experience of Parents Supporting Teachers and Schools Media Statement by Children with Disability Australia, Developmental Disability Council of WA and National Council on Intellectual Disability.
