Urban and Suburban Teachers' Practices, Challenges, and Educational Needs in the Area of Parent Involvement

• In Event: Roundtable Session 25
  In Roundtable Session: Parent-Teacher Interaction and Collaboration

Abstract

This study examines suburban and urban teachers’ family involvement practices, challenges they face in involving families, and their educational needs. A questionnaire was administered to 89 teachers. Data were coded using a constant comparative analysis. Codes were analyzed quantitatively to determine the number of teachers whose responses fell into each category and by comparing suburban and urban teachers’ responses. Results suggest that although urban and suburban teachers share some similarities in terms of their practices, challenges, and needs, a number of differences were evident. Overall, suburban teachers’ responses were more detailed and included specific strategies. Urban teachers’ interests in further education did not necessarily align with the areas in which they reported challenges. Implications for teacher education are discussed.

Authors

• Alisa Hindin, Seton Hall University

• Mary Frances Mueller, Seton Hall University