Toward collaborative partnerships: Lessons from parents and teachers of emergent bi/multilingual students

ABSTRACT

There is widespread consensus that parental involvement in their children’s education contributes to the children’s success at school. However, it is also recognized that non-dominant populations, particularly immigrant families, face language and cultural barriers, racism, poverty, and other obstacles to navigating school practices that many families do not face. In this article, we argue for the need to reject overtly school-centered parental involvement practices in favor of collaborative partnerships that position parents as equal partners and decision-makers. We first present critical features that characterize home-school collaborative partnerships, based on key literature detailing research from this perspective. Second, we present 2 examples of attempts to forge home-school partnerships, based on qualitative research independently conducted by the coauthors. Finally, we discuss the challenges and possibilities of school-parent partnerships that are illustrated by these examples and conclude by suggesting potential pathways toward more collaborative partnerships.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional resources

1. Colorín Colorado. (n.d.). Schools and families: An important partnership. Colorín Colorado. https://www.colorincolorado.org/schools-and-families-important-partnership

This extensive website provides resources specifically aimed at immigrant families and families of emergent bi/multilingual students to help families navigate the U.S. school system and home-school partnerships. Resources are available in English and Spanish.

2. Kugler, E. G. (2017). Supporting families in a time of fear. Educational Leadership, 75, 26-32.

Aimed at educators and school leaders, this article helps readers understand the concerns and fears of immigrant families’ in the present context of tightening US immigration. The author provides guidance for how to build trusting relationships with immigrant students and families.

3. Wida. (2018, September). Focus bulletin: Language-focused Family Engagement. Wida. https://wida.wisc.edu/sites/default/files/resource/FocusOn-Language-Focused-Family-Engagement.pdf

This resource presents readers with research-based considerations to engage with immigrant families and families of emergent bi/multilingual students. Tools for reflection are also provided to help educators individually or in group conversations to examine and improve local family engagement practices.