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Inclusive Education

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Date
17 April 2024
Link
inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/partnering-with-parents-whanau-and-communities
11443 [Parents-family-and-whanau.jpg]

​Partnering with parents, whānau, and communities

Engagement increases when school leaders have vision and are committed to working in partnership with the parents and whānau of all students.

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Strategies for action

Four key strategies for building close community networks that support student learning and wellbeing.

Model a commitment to inclusion

Parents expect schools to welcome their child, value the diversity they bring, and work collaboratively to meet their individual needs. 

Video hosted on Youtube http://youtu.be/b3HqMrbW5Eg

An inclusive school makes sure that “every kid gets what they need”.

Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga (NZ) (opens in a new tab/window)

Closed Captions

Source:
Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga (NZ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3HqMrbW5Eg&feature=youtu.be

Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:

  1. ​Value student diversity

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  2. Understand beliefs, values, and expectations

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  3. Partner with whānau

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  4. Provide professional development

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

Support reciprocal relationships

Parents want their relationships with school personnel to be based on empathy and mutual respect. Develop ways of working together and identify possible barriers that may inhibit partnership.  

Video hosted on Youtube http://youtu.be/UrREJhOkFjw

Garth Clarricoats reflects on what makes a successful home-school partnership. Garth draws on his experience of being dad to a son with autism.

Source: Chrissie Butler (NZ) (opens in a new tab/window)

Closed Captions

Source:
Chrissie Butler (NZ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrREJhOkFjw

Three suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Partner with whānau

Develop positive relationships with the community of people who know the student well.  

We are true partners when:

  • you listen to what I have to say
  • you acknowledge my intelligence
  • you want to learn more about my ways
  • you don’t judge me
  • you engage me in genuine dialogue
  • we make decisions together
  • you show that my child matters to you
  • you include my experience, knowledge, and viewpoints with yours.

Source: Partners in Learning: Parents’ Voices (2008) (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Partners in Learning: Parents’ Voices (2008)

Five suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Build community networks

Invite your community into the classroom and take your classroom out to the community.

Indicators of an inclusive culture:

  • Everyone is made to feel welcome.
  • Students help each other.
  • Staff collaborate with each other.
  • Staff and students treat one another with respect.
  • There is a partnership between staff, parents, and whānau.
  • Staff and the board of trustees work well together.
  • Local communities are involved in the school.

Source: Index for Inclusion: Developing learning and participation in schools (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Index for Inclusion: Developing learning and participation in schools
http://www.csie.org.uk/resources/inclusion-index-explained.shtml

Two suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Key resources

Family whanau file2

Family/whānau file

A booklet to help parents of students with additional needs to brief their child’s school.

Website

School partnerships self-audit tool

This tool can be used to consider current community-school interactions and find out more about community values and expectations. It supports gather and analysing information to gain an understanding of strengths, gaps, and needs.

Family whanau file2

Family/whānau file

A booklet to help parents of students with additional needs to brief their child’s school.

Website

Inclusive Practices Tools for self-review

The Inclusive Practices Tools provide schools with ways to engage staff, students, and their communities in the review of their inclusive practices.

More options

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The role of school boards

Understand inclusive education. Develop processes for identifying students’ learning and social needs to support achievement for all. Read three strategies

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Inclusive classroom culture
- Popular

Build an inclusive classroom culture that values all students, their families/whānau, and communities. Read four strategies

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Leading inclusive schools

Examine what it takes to lead an inclusive school where all students are supported and diversity is valued. Read three strategies

Browse all guides

How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: Parents, whānau, and communities​​

Strategies for action:

Key resources:

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This is a Ministry of Education initiative​​​​​​​. We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.

This information was downloaded/printed from the Ministry of Education's website "Inclusive Education". Except where otherwise noted it is Crown Copyright 2018.

Information on the Inclusive Education website is regularly updated so we recommend you check the website version of this information to ensure it remains current.