A Teacher's Guide to Communicating with Parents Practical Strategies for Developing Successful Relationships

by Dyches, Tina Taylor; Carter, Nari J.; Prater, Mary Anne T

• ISBN13: 9780137054060
• ISBN10: 0137054068
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-02-03
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Communicating with Parents: A Guide to Effective Practiceis an essential guidebook for the K-12 education professional.#xA0; This book takes an in-depth look at communicating with families of students in elementary and secondary schools and is founded on the most current research and practice. Divided into five main sections, this guide presents evidence-based content and strategies related to: Developing Caring Relationships in Schools, Communicating with Families for Student Success, Communicating with Families throughout the School Year, Communicating with Families in Meetings, and Addressing Difficult Topics with Families. Additionally, a broad-based school population is covered with pertinent information for working with families of: general education students, students with disabilities, culturally/linguistically diverse students, students from low socioeconomic status, and students with unique gifts and talents. The evidence-based material is enhanced and illustrated with examples, graphics, and professional reproducible materials, and on every page, educators will be given the most research-based content, sound examples, practical applications, and ready-to-use resources. An indispensible guide for all K-12 general education teachers, special educators, related services personnel, and administrators for both pre-service and in-service training. #xA0;

Author Biography

Tina Taylor Dyches earned her Ed.D. in specialized educational development and educational administration from Illinois State University. She is currently an Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator in special education at Brigham Young University. She co-authored Guide to Writing Quality Individualized Educational Programs (Pearson, 2007) and Using Children’s Literature to Teach about Disabilities (Libraries Unlimited, 2008).

 

Nari Carter is currently enrolled in an Educational Research Ph.D. program at Brigham Young University.  Her areas of specialization are teacher development and training. Nari co-authoredWhat Every Teacher Should Know About: Adaptations and Accommodations for Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (Pearson, 2009). She is a contributing author of the forthcoming text, Working with Families of Children with Special Needs: Family and Professional Partnerships and Roles (Pearson, 2011). 

 

Mary Anne Prater earned her Ph.D. in special education at Utah State University. She is currently a Professor and Department Chair at Brigham Young University. She has also taught at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She authored Teaching Strategies for Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities (Pearson, 2007) and co-authored Using Children’s Literature to Teach about Disabilities (Libraries Unlimited, 2008) and Working with Families of Children with Special Needs: Family and Professional Partnerships and Roles (Pearson, 2011).

 

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 — Developing Caring Relationships in Schools

 

Developing Caring Relationships with Your Students

             Showing Interest in Each Student            
                  Developing Caring Relationships with Special Populations

Developing Caring Relationships with Your Students’ Families

            Understanding Your Students’ Family Backgrounds

                Understanding the Strengths of Your Students’ Families

                Understanding the Concerns of Your Students’ Families Summary

 

Chapter 2 — Skills for Communicating with Families

Communication Skills

            Skills for Face-to-Face Communications

            Skills for Written Communications

Considerations for Communicating with Diverse Types of Families

              Considerations for Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Families

              Considerations for Socioeconomically Diverse Families

              Considerations for Families Raising Children with Different Abilities

Summary

 

 

Chapter 3 — Communicating with Families Throughout the School Year

Phone Communications

            Purposes of Phone Communications

            Advantages and Limitations

            General Guidelines

            What to Say in Phone Calls

            How to Communicate During Phone Calls

Written Communications

            Purposes of Written Communications

            Advantages and Limitations

            General Guidelines

            What to Include in Written Communications

            How to Create Written Communications

Electronic Communications

            Purposes of Electronic Communications

            Advantages and Limitations

            General Guidelines

            What to Include in Electronic Communications

            How to Create Electronic Communications

Types of Written Communications

              Disclosure Documents

              Curriculum Plans

              Newsletters

              Homework

              School-Home Notes

              Progress Reports and Report Cards

              Legal Documents

Summary

 

 

Chapter 4 — Communicating with Families in Meetings

Formal Meetings                                                                     

              Classroom Events (Back-to School Nights and Open Houses)

              Teacher-Led Parent—Teacher Conferences

            Student-Led Conferences

            Individualized Education Program Meetings

              Parent—Teacher Organization Meetings

Informal Meetings

            School Visits (Hallway and Classroom Chats)

            Home Visits

              Parent Volunteers in Classrooms

Summary

 

Chapter 5 — Addressing Difficult Topics with Families

 

Academic Issues

            What Are Academic Difficulties?

            Support at School

            Communicating with Parents 

Social/Behavioral Issues

            What Are Social/Behavioral Problems?

            Support at School

            Communicating with Parents

Child Abuse/Neglect

            What Is Child Abuse and Neglect?

            Reporting Abuse and Neglect

             Support at School

              Communicating with Parents

Bullying 

            What Is Bullying? 

            Support at School

            Communicating with Parents

School Crises/Emergencies

            What Are School Crises/Emergencies?

            Crisis Response and Communication Plans

            Communicating with Parents

Summary

 

Appendix — Templates and Reproducibles

Index