Schools need to provide education to staff and families that encourages understanding and celebration of diverse family forms, cultures, and ethnicities. When schools and families make the effort to understand and educate each other, they often find more similarities than differences. When collaboration is characterized by open communication, mutually agreed upon goals, and joint decision-making, education becomes a shared responsibility. When problems arise, they are addressed jointly by families, students, and educators in a respectful, solution-focused manner. The role of families Child-rearing is both complex and difficult.
Individual families face multiple challenges with unique sets of resources, skills, and preferences.
Roles for families should be broadly conceived, but individually applied. That is, educators and families should work together to develop an array of opportunities for families to participate meaningfully in their children's education. The role of the school psychologist NASP encourages school psychologists to take part in national, state and local efforts to define parent involvement in education as true collaborative partnerships among homes, schools and communities. Successful home-school collaboration is dependent upon educators, families and community members working together to understand each others' perspectives and to develop shared goals. NASP is committed to supporting collaboration among families, educators and community members to promote positive educational outcomes for all children and youth.