Building “Our School”: Parental Perspectives for Building Trusting Family–Professional Partnerships

Abstract

All educational stakeholders benefit when families and school staff have trusting partnerships as they work together to achieve mutual goals. Eleven focus groups were conducted with parents of children with and without disabilities in six schools, which had been selected as knowledge development sites by the Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation (SWIFT) Center. The purpose of this appreciative inquiry was to understand these parents' perspectives on the nature of trusting partnerships within their schools. The following four themes emerged: (a) communicating, (b) establishing a sense of belonging, (c) demonstrating professional competency and commitment, and (d) building family leadership. Multiple approaches are described for how professionals and families from the schools implemented these four themes. Implications for school practices, preservice education, and future investigation are addressed.

Keywords:

• family–professional
• partnerships
• inclusion

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Grace L. Francis

Grace L. Francis is an assistant professor of special education at George Mason University. Her research interests include transition to adulthood and effective family–professional partnerships policies and practices.

Martha Blue-Banning

Martha Blue-Banning is an assistant research professor at the University of Kansas. Her research interests include family–professional partnerships and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their schools and communities.

Shana J. Haines

Shana J. Haines is an assistant professor of special education at the University of Vermont. Her research interests include family–professional partnerships, teacher education, and inclusive school reform.

Ann P. Turnbull

Ann P. Turnbull is a distinguished professor emerita in the Department of Special Education and co-founder of the Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas. Her research interests focus in the areas of family–professional partnerships, family quality of life, and school/community inclusion.

Judith M. S. Gross

Judith M. S. Gross is an assistant research professor of special education at the Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas. Her research interests include family–community–school partnerships, supports, and services for individuals with disabilities and their families, particularly with regard to the transition to adulthood (e.g., employment, community participation, independent living).