Acknowledging Diversity in Home Literacy Practices: Moving Towards Partnership with Parents

Abstract

Parent involvement in their children's literacy learning has long been recognized as an important factor in school success. As a result, schools have frequently attempted to build programs that assist parents to support their children's literacy. Unfortunately, many of these initiatives are based on deficit views of learning and fail to acknowledge the diverse background and needs of all children. In this paper the author provides an overview of major initiatives in family literacy, and argues for a fundamental change in the way schools relate to the parents and the community. It is suggested that schools and communities need to develop more effective partnerships that provide the opportunity for parents and teachers to develop a greater sense of shared understanding. The author argues that such initiatives will encourage parents and teachers to enter into dialogue based on a shared commitment to improving children's learning, and that this will lead to positive outcomes for all students.