1. Using Staff Development To Improve Preschool/Elementary Teachers' Skills in Working with and Involving Parents.
- Author
-
Malaspina, Barbara A.
- Abstract
This practicum was designed to strengthen preschool and elementary school teachers' abilities and commitment to working with parents and including them as active participants in the education of their children. It sought to help teachers identify beliefs about involving parents in the classroom and school, and to develop materials and activities to be used in staff development forums that could assist teachers in acquiring skills for working with parents. A program of teacher workshops, activities, and handouts was developed and implemented. Pre- and post-intervention surveys and interviews were conducted to determine the effectiveness of the program. An evaluation of the survey and interview results concluded that the overall effects of the intervention were positive. Teachers increased their awareness of beliefs concerning parent involvement and increased their readiness to reach out and involve more parents. Supervisors reported that teachers improved relationships with parents and that parents exhibited more positive attitudes towards collaborating with teachers. Parents indicated that the practicum addressed a perceived need. (Six appendixes contain teacher workshop agendas, the parent interview survey, a materials evaluation checksheet, teacher survey, and a supervisor interview form. Contains 68 references.) (MDM)
- Published
- 1993