Give Teachers the Tools to Reach Out to Families Staff development can help teachers to understand the benefits of family involvement and show them how to remove barriers that keep parents from participating. It can also teach techniques for improving communication between the families and educators, and suggest ways to help meet the overall educational needs of families. It is in a school s best interest to make parents feel welcome. Often the first time a parent comes to school is when a child is in trouble. Schools can help reduce tensions by making initial contacts with parents friendly and respectful.
Schools can also reduce distrust by arranging contacts in neutral settings, off school grounds.
Home visits by family liaison personnel can be particularly helpful. Some programs have used home-school coordinators to run weekly clubs for parents, helping to build parenting skills and trust between families and schools. Schools might also encourage parents, teachers, and students to meet at the beginning of the school year to agree on goals and develop a common understanding. Language Barriers Reaching families whose first language is not English requires schools to make special accommodations. Translating materials into a parent's native language helps, but written communication alone is not enough.