External Environment - Families and Communities

Question 1

Schools communities

It is worth noting that ….

Answer 1

a community is not necessarily a homogenous group of people with a common voice and shared set of views.

JESS - nationalities, religions, economic groups, long-timers

Question 2

Home school links

Bastiani 1993 suggests partnership involves:

Answer 2

1. Sharing of power, responsibility and ownership
2. Listening to one and other and encourage dialogue
3. Shared aims and goals
4. Commitment to joint action - parents, students, professionals

Question 3

Terms for parents:

Answer 3

1. Customers JESS
2. Citizens (through participation in school governance)
3. Clients (offered the professional expertise of educators dedicated to service to others)
4. First educators (the closeness of parents to the child in daily experiences) JESS
5. Partners (working together) JESS

Question 4

Inward focus

Martin 1999

Answer 4

• ‘the community as a site for enriching the curriculum’
• parent participation as a means for improving pupil motivation, behaviour and achievement.

The school reaches out to the community to enhance goals of progress and performance BUT school remains the source of values and process.
PROFESSIONAL TRADITION

Question 5

Outward focus

Martin 1999

Answer 5

• concerned to empower the community
  Reach out and serve the learning needs of the community.
  SURFACE PARENT TRAINING

Question 6

Pros and Cons of participation

Answer 6

1. exclusion of some groups less able to take advantage of participation
2. costs - time and energy
3. positive engagement with students and families
4. better understanding of needs which leads to better use of resources
5. strengthening of democracy

Question 7

Exercising influence

Answer 7

Comment on decisions and policy matters.

Taking their opinions

Question 8

Effective participation

Martin 1999

Answer 8

1. Inclusive
2. Recognise social as well as academic goals
3. raise expectations
4. Involves local people in decision making
5. Democratic participation.

Question 9

Logic Model

Sanders 2009

Answer 9

Inputs/ Resources -
Staff - lead practitioners
Space and time - TV classrooms

Activities -
One year action plan. -
Decide on regular meeting with Steve and lead teachers.

Output - the intended activities
Joint action throughout the year.
Face to Face
Newsletters
Parent tour days

Expected Outcomes
Less complaints.

Question 10

Genuine participation

Rose 2003

Answer 10

The ability to take part in real decision making and governance, where all members have equal power to determine the outcome of decisions and share a joint activity.
It is voluntary and spontaneous.

Question 11

Pseduo-particpation

Rose 2003

Answer 11

A consultive process whereby citizens are merely kept informed of developments at the school level and are expected to accept decisions that have already been made.

OneNote digital learning.
Because to be truly participatory, community members should themselves choose their roles and would need the appropriate skills to carry out functions effectively.