top of page
Reading Braille
Teacher and Young Student
Drawing & Coloring
Girl with Drawing
Teacher Helping Student
Chalkboard Drawings

BEST PRACTICES FOR IMPROVING COMMUNICATION 
WITH PARENTS

LESSONS FOR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS

Home: Welcome
Parent-Team-Sab-Mulligan.jpg

Collaborating with Parents In Making a Difference

About Us

Researchers have evidence for the positive effects of parent involvement on children, families, and school when schools and parents continuously support and encourage the children's learning and development (Eccles & Harold, 1993; Illinois State Board of Education, 1993).  According to Henderson and Berla (1994), "the most accurate predictor of a student's achievement in school is not income or social status but the extent to which that student's family is able to: 

  1. Create a home environment that encourages learning

  2. Express high (but not unrealistic) expectations for their children's achievement and future careers

  3. Become involved in their children's education at school and in the community 

This website is intended to help school social workers become stronger advocates for their students by involving parents in the change process.

Home: About

Recommended Practices to Increase Parental Involvement

Paper Lanterns

Host events and activities that bring parents and families into the school

Father with his Son

Offer programs, events and activities related to encouraging parent involvement

Old-Fashioned Clock

Ensure that different school events are offered at varying times during day, evening and weekend hours in recognition of families’ diverse schedules

Woman on Phone

Communicate with parents frequently, using a variety of methods

Blond Student

Create a warm, respectful, and welcoming school environment

Spa Stones

Be flexible in accommodating parents and families

Teacher Resources

Provide a variety of resources for parents

Family Time

Support parents in helping their children at home

41b85fb326d0212b4df0550e819737f1.jpg

Collaborate with Parent

Blurred people mingling

Engage parents in school planning, leadership and meaningful volunteer opportunities

We constantly update our site with all that’s happening at Best Practices for School Social Workers, so make sure you stay in touch.

Home: Events

More Tools For Use in Schools

For New School Social Workers

Home: Student Life

Parent advocacy websites to help new school social workers

Home: News

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the lifespan, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

autism speaks.jpg

Council for Exceptional Children

The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. We accomplish our mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development.

council for ec logo.png

National Center for Learning Disabilities

The mission of NCLD is to improve the lives of the 1 in 5 children and adults nationwide with learning and attention issues—by empowering parents and young adults, transforming schools and advocating for equal rights and opportunities. We’re working to create a society in which every individual possesses the academic, social and emotional skills needed to succeed in school, at work and in life.

NCLD (1).jpg

National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education

The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE) is a national membership organization dedicated to rendering all possible support and assistance to parents whose children receive special education services, both in and outside of school. NAPCSE was founded for parents with children with special needs to promote a sense of community and provide a national forum for their ideas.

NAPCSE.jpg

Parent to Parent of Miami

Parent to Parent of Miami strives to provide children and families with the skills and resources needed to make every child with a disability succeed in both the home and school environment.

parent to parent.png

Resource Websites to Share with Parents

Home: Services
Family Time

Parent Involvement Tips for SPED Teachers

Teach Hub

Reading

Florida Center for Reading Research

Student Center Activities

Painted Heart

Family Voices

Promoting Health Care

brain.jpg

National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health

Advocacy

yoga mom kid.jpg

Tips for Doing Yoga with Child with Learning Disabilities

Exercise for Children & Parent

Best Practice Video Library

Videos Promoting Positive Parent Collaboration and Communication

Go Team

Fostering Parent Alliances

Eight different strategies to help educators turn the most difficult parents into classroom allies.

Woman on Phone

Communication with Parent

A special education teacher calls a parent to discuss how her daughter is performing in her classes. They discuss how they can work together to make sure she is completing her assignments.

Home: Shop

Down the Rabbit Hole: A Commentary About Research on Parents and Special Education

This article examines what we know about the experience of parents of children with learning disabilities since the passage of PL-94-142.  The author offers a review of special education literature about parent and professional collaboration, a rationale for relying on a plurality of methodological frameworks in conducting research with parents of children with LD, and a challenge to the profession to raise and respond to ethical questions about our naturalized practices in alliance with parents.

Jan W. Valle (2011) Learning Disability Quarterly 34(3) 183-190

Home: About Us
Father and Children

Jane D. Hull

"At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents."

Home: Quote

Contact Us

Drawing & Coloring
  • Facebook

Thanks for submitting!

Home: Contact
Home: From The Blog
bottom of page