Date
17 March 2024

Explore family beliefs, values, and expectations

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Explore Pacific perspectives on inclusion’

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Differing perspectives of inclusion

Differing perspectives of inclusion

Parents and family may have different perspectives on disability, inclusion, and accessing learning support for their children.

Take time to understand:

  • values and beliefs about disability and inclusion
  • personal experiences of learning
  • hopes and dreams for their child
  • fears and anxieties
  • expectations around support for learning.

Source: Adapted from Understanding special education from the perspectives of Pasifika families (opens in a new tab/window)

Understand Pacific contexts

Understand Pacific contexts

Consider the varied expectations that Pacific learners balance alongside their school work, in their roles and responsibilities connected to church, sports, or social groups

Involve communities in schooling

Involve communities in schooling

Ainslie Sauvao shares how the concept "It takes a village to raise a child" has been a key notion behind the successes she has seen in her school.

Build effective partnerships

Build effective partnerships

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 (ERO, 2008) (opens in a new tab/window)

Useful resources

Useful resources

Supporting Maori students through ako e e learning

Understanding special education from the perspectives of Pasifika families

Read time: 101 min

This report identifies: the strengths of current service provision, barriers to accessing special education services for Pasifika students; and the extent to which cultural perspectives on disability and special education and the low numbers of Pasifika professionals affect engagement and satisfaction with special education services for Pasifika families.

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Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Explore Pacific perspectives on inclusion”:

Return to the guide “Supporting Pacific learners”

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