Adaptations and accomodations;learning environment

The strategies used for collaborating with parents of all children in your classroom can be effective, no matter what the circumstances are.

Members of ethnic minorites, homeless and migrant families, gay and lesbian parents, and certain individuals families may be hard to reach.

The first step is for teachers to examine their own feelings towards parents who are outside the mainstream and with whom it may be more difficult to establish contact.

Being honest about your feelings and discussing them with others will help you to avoid using terms or making statements that hurt or anger parents who may have been rejected in other situations.

Community Involvement, Resources, and Community

Choose a school district/ county: what community resources are there for parents.

Like family involvement in schools, community involvement occurs at various levels, ranging from minimal contact to advocacy.

Teachers and administrators have the greater responsibility for reaching out to the community to develop partnerships, but parents often play a role in getting individuals, agencies, and businesses involved with the local schools.

Many educators now recognize that when teachers, parents,and community members form a relationship of equality and shared responsibility, schools become strong and children acquire greater cognitive and social skills.