Overview

This practitioner-friendly resource will help parents and educators with different values and viewpoints to better communicate, understand, and collaborate for the benefit of all children (K–12). Drawing from personal stories and current research, this book suggests ways in which families and schools can work together to optimize the academic, social, and emotional development of all students, with a focus on diverse students and families. Utilizing their unique backgrounds as professional educators, scholars, parents, and immigrants, the authors provide vivid descriptions of successful family–school collaborations, powerful culturally relevant educational experiences, effective communication models, and strategies parents can use to become stronger advocates for public schools in their communities. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter are designed to improve communication so parents can better understand the work of schools and, in turn, educators can learn from families. Book Features: A road map for creating a school community grounded in the tenets of integrated, multicultural education. Tools for creating high-quality communication between families and educators, including guidance for overcoming common obstacles. Information for parents about how to navigate the school system and its resources. Reflection and discussion questions that can be used in book clubs or study groups with both parents and educators. A list of books that the authors recommend reading and discussing following this one.

Full Product Details

Author:   Matthew Knoester ,  Maura G. Robinson ,  Touorizou Hervé Somé ,  James A. Banks
Publisher:   Teachers' College Press
Imprint:   Teachers' College Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 0.80cm , Length: 22.90cm
ISBN:  

9780807787526

ISBN 10:   0807787523
Pages:   168
Publication Date:   26 September 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Contents Series Foreword James A. Banks  xiii Acknowledgments  xix  Introduction  1 Transitioning From Nesting Instincts to the Socialization of Schooling  2 Common Questions That Arise for Parents  4 Many Purposes for Schools  6 Parents and Teachers  7 About This Book  10 About the Authors  11 A Safe Place for Inquiry  12 Discussion Questions  13 1.  Education for Democracy  15 Educational Needs of a Democracy  17 Deciding on the Curriculum  19 Educational Governance  21 Book Bans and Other Violations of the Principle of Non-Repression  23 Unequal School Budgets  24 Conclusion  25 Discussion Questions  26 2.  Integration and Intercultural Competence  29 Demographics and Segregation  29 Benefits of Integrated Schooling  31 Interrupting Racism  37 Conclusion  39 Discussion Questions  39 3.  Education and Culture  41 Coming to the United States  41 Underestimation of Parental Knowledge  44 When Parents May Need to Speak Up on Behalf of Their Children  45 What Can Teachers and Schools Learn From Parents and Families?  48 Culturally Responsive Teaching  50 The Value of Academic Language in Schools  51 Culture and Economic Inequality  53 Conclusion  57 Discussion Questions  58 4.  Improving Communication Between Families and Schools  59 One-Way Communication: Newsletters  60 One-Way Communication: Grades and Report Cards  65 One-Way Communication: Standardized Test Scores  67 Another Cautionary Note About Written Communications Sent Home to Families  69 Two-Way Communication: Parent–Teacher Conferences  71 Two-Way Communication: Individualized Education Program (IEPs) and 504 Plans  73 Two-Way Communication: Family Nights  75 Two-Way Communication: Book Study Discussions  76 Conclusion  78 Discussion Questions  79 5.  The Most Challenging Aspects of Building Trust  81 Homework  83 Discipline  85 The Challenge of Sending Mixed Messages to Parents  89 Unequal Voice for Parents Within Schools  91 Confronting Race and Racism in Schools  92 Additional Concerns About Trust in Schools  97 Conclusion  99 Discussion Questions  100 6.  Enhanced Parental Involvement in Schools  101 It May Take a Village, but Parents’ First Priority Is Their Own Family  102 Volunteering in the School  103 Advocacy at the City Level  105 Organizing in Buffalo, New York  107 Organizing in Southern Indiana  111 Suggestions for Organizing  113 Conclusion  115 Discussion Questions  116 7.  Conclusion  119 Education and Democracy  121 Summary of the Book  124 Conclusion  128 Discussion Questions  129 Recommended Reading for Future Book Studies  131 References  133 Index  141 About the Authors  147

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Author Information

Matthew Knoester is a professor and chair of the Educational Studies Department at Ripon College. Maura G. Robinson is a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) consultant and coach to school districts and organizations. Touorizou Hervé Somé is an associate professor in the Educational Studies Department at Ripon College.

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