As teachers, we need parents to act as equal partners in developing and supporting educational programs. There are four important reasons for this.
The family is the only constant in that child's life. As a teacher, you will be with the child for approximately 9 months. If the child is to be successful, he/she will need someone advocating for effective programs throughout his/her life. To the extent that you and the parents develop a program that you both can support and advocate for, you have empowered the parents to support their child's dvelopment throughout his/her lifetime.
The family has unique insights regarding the child's strengths and needs. When we first meet a child in September, we need more than the information in a file to help use prepare an appropriate educational program. The parents will have important information about their child which will help to pursue meaningful goals.
The family is the most important day to day influence in a child's life. When children get the message at home and at school that education is important and valued, they are far more likely to be successful.
The child is a part of a family. Schools have a moral obligation to support the strengthening of families by providing them with accurate information, and by following, to the greatest extent possible, the wishes of the family.
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