Preferences and Attitudes Toward Progress Reporting Methods of Parents From Diverse Backgrounds

Abstract

There is a growing movement in education toward data-based decision-making requiring frequent monitoring of student progress. However, the literature fails to provide direction as to the best means of communicating information about a child’s progress with his or her parents. Given the increasing number of immigrant families being served, it is essential that we study the best method of communicating with parents from diverse backgrounds. In this study, six families from diverse ethnic backgrounds were interviewed and asked to share their thoughts about the information they receive from the educators serving their children. In addition, they were asked to rank their preference for receiving information about their children’s progress, choosing from among a narrative, a graph, and a rubric. All but one parent reported the narrative as their preferred method for receiving information about their child. This discovery may impact the use of visual graphics, used to record progress, with parents from diverse backgrounds.

Keywords:

• graphs
• rubrics
• communication
• parents
• multicultural