What parents want teachers to know: reflections from the Engaging with Parents, Carers & Families project The Engaging with Parents, Carers & Families project Research with community collaborators  NSW Parents’ Council  Council of Catholic Schools Parents NSW & ACT  NSW Federation of Parents’ & Citizens’ Associations  Funded by NSW DET Details of the study  22 Focus Groups, 174 parents  Independent, Catholic and public sectors represented  Urban, outer-metro, regional and rural parents represented  Interviews with teacher educators from 16 participating universities

Key findings: How do parents currently engage with schooling?  Caring about school & supporting their children (often in ways that are not recognised or valued by schools)  Volunteering, fund-raising and support activities (predominantly provided by mothers, and generally with a view to contributing to the whole school community)  Involvement in parent groups and school-based peer networks within and beyond schools  Formal and informal advocacy (often after unsuccessful attempts at addressing outstanding issues)

Key findings: What do parents want from schools?  Parents want their children to be happy at school  Parents expect schools to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for their children  Parents expect school communication processes to be clear and effective  Parents want meaningful dialogues between school and home  Parents want to be part of a welcoming and constructive school community  Parents expect to be taken seriously when raising issues of concern  Parents want schools to prepare children for life, not just for tests

Key findings: What do parents want teachers to know about parent-school engagement?  “We are not the enemy.”  “We understand that teachers have a tough job, and we respect that.”  “If teachers don’t make themselves available, if they won’t even step outside the classroom or the school gate to chat with us, how can they expect us to feel comfortable about getting involved?”  “We know more about our kids than anyone else does. We can help if you will listen.”  “We only get one chance to raise our children. If we get it wrong, or if we fail them in their education, our family lives with that forever.”

Project aims and outcomes  Teacher professional development resources  Factsheets for PD programs  E-book  Website  Scholarly publications to date  Educational Management, Administration & Leadership (accepted for 2014)  Australian Educational Researcher (in review)  Global Studies of Childhood (in review)  Project team  Assoc/Prof Sue Saltmarsh  Dr. Amy Chapman  Research Assistants: Dr. Jenny Barr, Dr. Judith Enriquez, Anna North