Collaboration Between Parents and Teachers: What Did Emerge From a Semantic Network Analysis?

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Educator-Parent Engagement: Exploring Educational Outcomes (Table 11)

Abstract

This study examines the expectations of parents and teachers regarding collaboration in schools through semantic network analysis of written responses of 1020 teachers and 3254 parents. The findings reveal that collaboration includes three elements: aims, conditions, and areas of involvement. Parents prioritize transparency, mutual respect, ongoing communication, and participation in all school areas for the benefit of their children. Teachers emphasize advancing the child's well-being and cultivating parents’ trust and involvement in social issues while setting boundaries from intervention in other areas. Both groups consent regarding the goals of collaboration but hold different perspectives regarding the conditions and areas of collaboration. These differences may reflect that parents emphasize a democratic approach while teachers prioritize a professional perspective.

Author

• Audrey Addi-Raccah, Tel Aviv University