Working Collaboratively

A positive relationship between parents and teachers will lead to the best outcomes for every child, but perhaps is even more important when the child has a disability.

Parents bring invaluable knowledge of their child, their insights into their child’s learning, individual interests, strengths and personality, which can help educators make the adjustments needed to include the student in their class and school.

Even though both parents and educators know the importance of communication and collaboration, it is important to keep learning about what builds positive relationships, effective communication and authentic collaboration.

  1. Communicating and Contributing
  2. Building Effective Partnerships
  3. Setting Goals and Planning
  4. Government Websites

Communicating and Contributing

At the beginning of each year, I prepare a little updated summary for the incoming teachers and support staff about Adam.  It includes information about our family, his past schooling, his interests and passions, his successes and achievements, what extra-curricular activities he has been involved in and a bit I call “How to get the best from Adam”… which is about Adam’s needs or challenges but talks about these in a very positive and solution focused way.

I try to paint a picture of Adam which shows him as having lots of ordinary interests, great passions and a whole history of being loved and appreciated for his gifts (not only by his family but by friends and community) – rather than the student with Down syndrome they are likely to see.  I work on modelling how I want Adam to be seen and I find it gives teachers common ground when they know Adam outside school.  Many of the teachers pick up on those interests (camping, swimming, his cousins) in activities.
I Choose Inclusion, QPPD, 2011.

Parents play a vital role in setting the tone for how their child, and the adjustments and supports they need to be successful, will be seen and discussed by others.  Some parents have used a tool known as a ‘one-page profile’ to communicate this positively and clearly.

Other parents have worked with their children to create a little video or PowerPoint to share information about their child in a way that demonstrates vision and gifts, what their interests are, and what they need in their school day to be successful.

Below are links to a ‘one-page profile planning template’ and to an article where a parent explains how they created a one-page profile for their child.  Please note that it is important to create a vision for your child BEFORE attempting a one-page profile. For more information on clarifying your vision for your child’s future, please go to Creating a Vision.

Article

Ellie Stafford style one-page profile

Tiffany Stafford

One page profile for Kindy student Ellie Stafford

Click here to read the article Opens in new window

A One Page profile template creating by cru.  It has six cells, from top left to bottom right they are:  1. my vision for my child's experience.  2. My vision for my child's life after school. 3. Their strengths and gifts.  4. Their interests and passions. 5. What works for them. 6. What doesn't work for them.
We have made our own one page profile template. Click here to download (PDF).

Families hold important information about their child’s story. They notice progress when it may not be obvious to newer people and they know what has and has not worked in the past.

Sharing a one page profile or other positive documentation with the school can frame things well from the start, and help get the right adjustments and supports in place.

Parents and family members can feel anxious or disempowered when challenging the professional authority of educators, or asking for adjustments and supports their child needs to learn.

It is, however, helpful for families to claim their natural authority, to remember they are the constants in their child’s life – and will be there into the future, unlike most professionals.

Marg Ward, who advocated for her daughter Mena’s inclusive education, advises parents:

“Make two lists - In the first column, list all the people who have been constant in the life of your son or daughter. In the other column, list all the people who have come and gone over the same period. Your first list will [likely] be short, naming your family members … perhaps a few faithful friends or ‘extended family’. These are the people who can even begin to claim some authority in your son or daughter’s life. The other list will be enormous and frighteningly irrelevant”

Article

The Natural Authority of Families

Dr Michael Kendrick

"It can sometimes help to remember that families have a natural authority of their own which can go a long way to reducing this imbalance of power and authority. In order for this to happen, however, families need to appreciate this natural authority and be willing to act on it.

What follows is a brief description of some of the common sources of authority that families can call on when they are acting in the interests of a family member"

Download the article here (PDF)

Fact Sheet

Reframing weaknesses as strengths and needs

Mary A. Falvey

A key role for families in collaborative relationships is modelling a strengths based approach and countering deficit mindsets.

Three columns with the headings 1. instead of these weakness statements 2. try these strength statements 3. and these needs statements

Download the Fact Sheet here (PDF)

Video

What is inclusive language and why is it so important?

Associate Professor Elizabeth Walton

In this presentation at the Inclusive Education Forum held at QUT 2019, Associate Professor Elizabeth Walton explains why language matters.  Parents will find it is often up to them to model using better, positive language, in order to get better outcomes for their children with disability.

A screenshot of a video.  Inside is a video of the presenter, Associate Professor Elizabeth Walton, and a slide that includes her photo, the QUT logo and the title "what is inclusive language and why is it important'/

Click here to view the video

Article

8 Tips for Building a Good Relationship With Your Child’s Teacher

Geri Coleman Tucker

Here are 8 simple tips for establishing a positive relationship with your Child’s Teacher.

Click here to read the article Opens in new window

Article

Read about: 5 Conversation Starters for Discussing Teaching Approaches With Teachers

Bob Cunningham, EdM

"Here are some respectful conversation starters to use with teachers that ask about teaching approaches."

Click here to read the article Opens in new window

"Write an email but DON’T send it straight away.  Address it to yourself so it doesn’t go to the school.  The next day when you have calmed down, read it again and if you need to, make it less confrontational and seeking a cooperative approach to address the issue.  This has worked really well for me.  I get my anger out in the email but I don’t send it for another day or two until I have calmed down.”
I Choose Inclusion, QPPD.

Fact Sheet

What to Write in an Email to Your Child’s Teacher

Andrew Lee, Understood.org

"What should you write in an email to your child’s teacher? Email can be a great way to stay in touch and raise important issues. The most effective emails tend to be short and to focus on facts rather than emotion."

Download the Fact Sheet here (PDF) Please note, this is an American resource and refers to American-specific documents.

Article

All students learning together

Family Advocacy

"This booklet will help you think about the part school plays in the whole life of your child. It is aimed at families who want their child to attend regular class at a mainstream school or are thinking about that option. It will help you talk about why you want your child to have the same school experiences as other children, and it will give you tips and examples to make it happen."

Download the guide here (PDF)

Video

How can families support their child’s inclusion?

Family Advocacy

Resource

Consulting students with disability practice guide

Haley Tancredi - QUT

In Australia, all students with disability must be consulted about the reasonable adjustments that will enable them to access and participate in education.  This guide is designed to help educators and other professionals working in schools to uphold the obligation to consult students with disability, and to provide accessible consultation processes.

Image displaying cover of "Consulting Students with Disability: A practice guide for educators and other professionals with QUT logo.

Download the Guide here (PDF)

Building Effective Partnerships

"I think there should be a partnership between professionals and families.  What happens at school impacts on what happens at home and vice versa.  Schools will be less able to modify curriculum without a deep knowledge of what the student needs.

Families have that deep, long term knowledge.  Also, schools cannot know how families function and do things without their input.  Without the benefit of this long term knowledge, professionals cannot be as effective.”
All Students Learning Together. Family Advocacy (2016)

Video

Partnering with Families for Inclusive Education

Community Resource Unit Ltd.

This video shares ideas generated by parents on how schools can work more effectively with families – taking into account families’ perspectives and experiences.

Article

Partnering with Families in an Inclusive Education System

Community Resource Unit Ltd.

Partnering with Families in the Inclusive Education Document

Click here to read the article Opens in new window

Video

Inclusive High School Education – Jacob’s Story

Family Advocacy

In this video, Jacob’s family and school talk about how they built a partnership to support Jacob to be included at his High School.

Website

Working together to support school-aged students on the autism spectrum

Positive Partnerships

Positive Partnerships is a national project funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training through the Helping Children with Autism program.

View the website here Opens in new window

Video

How do families create a positive, trusting and collaborative relationship with their school?

Family Advocacy 

"Apparently they have learnt a lot by being challenged by us. I have tried to make the most positive experience it could be for my son’s sake… The great thing is that they were responsive once they got to know us. My son has had some fabulous teachers, but he has taught them also.”
I Choose Inclusion, QPPD

Video

Partnership with Parents

Dr Bob Jackson

The Ten Qualities of an Inclusive Teacher

Queensland Collective for Inclusive Education (QCIE)

The first page of a 2 page document. A list of 10 qualities of an an inclusive teacher. The tag line is 'the most powerful catalyst for my child's inclusion has always been the teacher's attitude and skills. I have noticed 10 key qualities'.Download the Fact Sheet here (PDF)

Video

Building relationships between parents and teachers

Megan Olivia Hall

Setting Goals and Planning

Video

See Ya Later S.M.A.R.T. Goals!

Shelley Moore

Article

Individual Plans Explained

Community Resource Unit Ltd.

"Many parents struggle to keep up with the many varied school plans – and their acronyms! To further confuse, names given to similar plans differ widely across states, education systems – and even different schools within the same system!

This guide will assist Queensland parents of students with disability to understand the most commonly used plans."

Download the Fact Sheet here (PDF)

“I find it hard to work things out and know how to say things without offending people. I find it hard to work with teachers. I’m not naturally good at it. Things can build up and seem very dramatic very quickly. My tip is to talk to other people. It can help you sort out what is important. If it is someone you trust, they can offer another perspective.”
Kate. All Students Learning Together, Family Advocacy (2016)

Website

Your Child’s IEP – Guide for Families

All Means All

"'You are involved to ensure that the IEP outcomes are in the best interests of your child and to bring your long term vision and aspirations for your child to the table.

Don’t undervalue the importance of your role in the IEP process.

Remember, your child only grows up once, so take the time and effort to maximise the long-term outcomes of their schooling experience."

View the website here Opens in new window

Government Websites

Queensland Government

Website

Booklet

Advancing Partnerships: Parent and Community Engagement (PACE) framework

Queensland Department of Education

The department's Parent And Community Engagement framework helps students, schools, parents and the community to work together to maximise student learning and wellbeing.

5 interconnected shapes around a central title that reads 'advancing partnerships'. The 5 shapes are titled: communication, decision-making, partnerships with parents, school culture and community collaboration.

View the website here Opens in new window

 

Website

Every Student with Disability Succeeding

Queensland Department of Education

"Partnerships between parents, families and schools is an important part of supporting students with disability to succeed.

Our Every Student with Disability Succeeding plan commits to supporting these partnerships and supports schools to engage with parents about their child's education."

View the website here Opens in new window

Australian Government

Video

Article

Collaboration

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

"Collaboration means working with others to pursue a common goal, such as ensuring that a student with disability participates in education on the same basis as other students.

Consultations can involve more people than a teacher, or a parent, guardian or carer. There are benefits in bringing together a group of people on a regular basis who can work collaboratively to support a student with disability."

Click here to read the article Opens in new window

Website

Family and School Partnerships

Australian Government, Department of Education

"The Family-School Partnerships Framework was developed to promote and guide partnership building. It was endorsed by Australia's Education Ministers in 2008. Partnership building was later identified as a national priority for schools in the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians.

The Framework has been refreshed through a series of supporting materials, offering research insights, practical advice and a range of resources including fact sheets and case studies."

View the website here Opens in new window

This project is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through the Department of Education.

The Department of Education website outlines its commitment to Inclusive education through its inclusive education policy.

 

Community Resource Unit Ltd - CRU (logo) Bright colours expanding from central point with the words Community Resource Unit Ltd, Expanding Ideas; Creating Change