Partnership between teacher and parent in national school in junior classes.

Abstract

This study examined the views of teachers and parents on what was their opinion on partnership, in national school with junior classes. For the purpose of this research study junior classed are junior and senior infancy in nation school in Ireland. The aim of this research project was to explore teachers’ and parents’ views, perspectives and beliefs regarding partnership in junior classes in national school. The objectives were to investigate what was teacher and parent understandings of partnership within the school setting, what kind of partnership exists between teacher and parent and do teachers and parents feel there is any way which partnership can be improved.It was observed that there was a limited amount of research evidence carried out in the past on partnership with teachers and parents in national school. Using this thesis as a tool for creating this awareness, will allow for further research to be carried out. A qualitative method in the form of interviews was used. This method of data gathered a large amount of in- depth information applicable to the research topic. Eight respondents in total were interviewed, four teachers and four parents. All respondents involved in the research study were either teachers or parents of children in national school in junior classes.The main findings highlighted what teachers’ and parents’ views on their understanding of the term ‘partnership’. The results showed there were differences in opinions amongst teachers and parents view of partnership. The teachers felt partnership meant parents becoming more involved with school life. Parents felt partnership was ensuring the child’s homework was done and anything they needed was supplied. Both parties felt that to develop partnership then communication is a key competency skill. All respondents voiced that there are many benefits linked with positive partnership and how it is implemented. However there are barriers to partnership involved in terms of finding the correct way in which partnership should be approached. In addition, the fact that parents were not aware of any formal policy on how to communicate with the school undermined the process of partnership.These findings imply that more research needs to be carried out in the future with regards to how best to encourage partnership with teachers and parents. It suggests that there need to be more research and implementation of policies regarding partnership with teachers and parents. Taking a collaborative approach, having a continuous open line of communication with teachers and parents was considered as being very important.