Bringing Solutions to Authentic Collaboration: A Phenomenology of Districts' Collaboration With Families and Communities

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Three
  In Roundtable Session: Schools, Communities, and Families in Collaboration (Table 3)

Abstract

Given the benefits to collaborating with families and the larger community, school districts have a vested interest in working with multiple stakeholders. Yet ideal collaboration has still not been realized within most districts. To understand the broad experiences regarding family and community collaboration, we interviewed K-12 educational stakeholders and conducted multiple rounds of qualitative coding to identify the challenges and barriers to implementing authentic collaborative practices following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from 40 stakeholders indicated core challenges related to shared power, relationship strengthening, leaderships and systems, and structures and funding, and also highlighted solutions to overcoming these core challenges. Results are discussed alongside the theoretical and empirical contribution of the study, limitations, and future research.

Authors

• Liza Rodler
  Presenting Author

• Rachel L. Renbarger, FHI 360
  Presenting Author

• Gabrielle Espina, FHI 360
  Presenting Author

• Amreen Nasim Thompson
  Presenting Author

• Amy Lynn Detgen, FHI 360
  Non-Presenting Author

• Marcia Sobers
  Non-Presenting Author

• Caitlin McAteer
  Non-Presenting Author

• Michael Tuffiash
  Non-Presenting Author

• Risa Sackman
  Non-Presenting Author

• Felix Fernandez
  Presenting Author

• Patrice Williams, FHI 360
  Non-Presenting Author