Family-School Connections: Different Theoretical Perspectives and their Implications for Teacher Education
Keywords:
family-school connections, parental involvement, educational theory, Arabian Gulf countries
Abstract
Family-school connections had received increasing attention in the past decades due to their potential benefits for children’s learning. However, the educational and research community is still working to give a clear explanation for what family-school connections really stands for, which is understood to be a complicated concept. This paper begins by presenting different definitions of family-school connections. Afterwards it will discuss various theoretical perspectives in this educational area, which includes: Piaget cognitive development theory (Piaget, 1981), Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory (Vygotsky, 1978), the funds of knowledge theory (Moll et al., 1992), Bourdieu’s social capital theory (Bourdieu, 1986), Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory (Velez-Agisto, et al., 2017), the overlapping family and school spheres (Epstein, 2011), Hoover-Dempsey & Sandler framework (Hoover-Dempsey & Sandler, 1995; 1997; 2005), and the structural and relational approach in understanding family-school connections (Kim & Sheridan, 2015). The paper concludes with a discussion about the implications of these theoretical perspectives on the research and educational field.
References
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Al-Fadley, A., Al-Holy, A., & Al-Adwani, A. (2018). Teacher perception of parents' involvement in their children’s literacy and their reading instructions in Kuwait EFL primary school classrooms. International Journal of Education and Practice, 6, (3), 120-133. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.61.2018.63.120.133
Al-Harrasi, S., & Al-Mahrooqi, R. (2014). Investigating Omani parents’ involvement in their children’s schooling. European Journal of Scientific Research, 117 (2), 272-286.
Al-Mahdi, O. (2010). Linking home and school mathematics: A qualitative case study in a Bahraini Primary School. Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing.
Al-Mahrooqi, R., Denman, C., & Al-Maamari, F. (2016). Omani parents’ involvement in their children’s English education. SAGE Open, 6(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016629190
Al-Qaryouti, I., & Kilani, H. (2015). Role of Omani parents: fostering emergent literacy skills. Education 3-13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 43(3), 336-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2013.815248
Al-Sumaiti, R. (2012). Parental involvement in the education of their children in Dubai. Dubai School of Government Policy Brief, 30. Retrieved July 30, 2018 from http://www.khda.gov.ae/CMS/.../Parental_Involvement_in_the_Education.pdf
Al-Taneiji, S. (2013). The role of leadership in engaging parents in United Arab Emirate schools. International Education Studies, 6(1), 153-165. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v6n1p153
Baeck, U. (2010). ‘We are professionals’: A study of teachers’ views on parental involvement in schools. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 31(3), 323-335. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425691003700565
Bakker, J., & Denessen, E. (2007). The concept of parent involvement: Some theoretical and empirical considerations. International Journal about Parents in Education, 1(0), 188-199.
Battle-Bailey, L. (2004). Review of research: Interactive homework for increasing parent involvement and students reading achievement. Childhood Education, 81(1), 36-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2004.10521292
Bauch, P., & Goldring, E. (1998). Parent-teacher participation in the context of school governance. Peabody Journal of Education, 73(1), 15-35. https://doi.org/10.1080/01619569809538875
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Fan, Q. (2012). Parents perceptions and practices in homework: Implications for school-teacher-parent partnership. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). The Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Illinois, Chicago.
Feiler, A., Andrews, L., Greenhough, P., Hughes, M., Johnson, D., Scanlan, M., & Yee. W. (2008). The home school knowledge exchange project: Linking home and school to improve children’s literacy. Support for Learning, 23, 12-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9604.2008.00363.x
Ginsburg-Block, M., Manz, P., & McWayne, C. (2010). Parenting to foster achievement in reading and mathematics. In S. L. Christenson & A. Reschly (Eds). Handbook of school- family partnerships (pp. 175-2013). New York: Springer.
Gonzalez, N., Moll, L., & Amanti, C. (2005). Funds of knowledge: Theorizing practices in households, communities and classrooms. NJ: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410613462
Goos, M., Lincoln, D., Coco, A., Frid, S., Galbraith, P., & Horne, M. (2004). Home, school and community partnership to support children’s numeracy. Australia: Department of Education, Science and Training.
Grolnick, W., & Raftery-Helmer, J. (2015). Core components of family-school connections: Toward a model of need satisfying partnership. In S. M. Sheridan, & E. Moorman Kim (Eds). Foundational Aspects of Family-School Partnership Research (pp. 15-34). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13838-1_2
Henderson, A., & Mapp, K. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community connections on students achievement. Austin: TX: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.
Hoover-Dempsey, K., & Sandler, H. (1995). Parental involvement in children’s education: Why does it make a difference?. Teachers College Record, 97(2), 310-331.
Hoover-Dempsey, K., & Sandler, H. (1997). Why do parents become involved in their children’s education? Review of Educational Research, 67(1), 3-42. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543067001003
Hoover-Dempsey, K., & Sandler, H. (2005). Final performance report for OERI: The social contexts of parental involvement: A path to enhanced achievement. Presented to Project Monitor, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, March 22, 2005.
Hornby, G. (2011). Parental involvement in childhood education: Building effective school-family partnership. Berlin: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8379-4
Ivic, I. (2000). Lev S. Vygotsky. UNESCO: International Bureau of Education.
Kim, E., & Sheridan, S. (2015). Foundational aspects of family-school connections: Definitions, conceptual frameworks, and research needs. In S. M. Sheridan, & E. Moorman Kim (Eds). Foundational Aspects of Family-School Partnership Research (pp. 1-14). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13838-1_1
Mackenzie, J. (2009). Family learning: Engaging with parents. Scotland: Dunedin.
McDevitt, T., & Ormrod, J. (2013). Child development and education. Pearson International Edition (5th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.
Moll, L., Amanti, C., Neff, D., & Gonzalez. (1992). Funds of knowledge for teaching: Using qualitative approach to connect home and classroom. Theory Into Practice, XXXI(2), 132-141. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405849209543534
Piaget, J. (1981). Their relations during child development. Palo Alto, CA: Annual Reviews.
Tekin, A. (2011). Parent involvement revisited: Background, theories, and models. International Journal of Applied Educational Studies, 10, 1-13.
Velez-Agisto, N., Soto-Crespo, J., Vizcarrondo-Oppenheimer, M., Vega-Molina, S., & Coll, C. (2017). Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory revision: Moving from macro into micro. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(5), 900-910. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691617704397
Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.
Walker, J., Wilkins, A., Dallaire, J., Sandler, H., & Hoover-Dempsey, K. (2005). Parental involvement: Model revision through scale development. Elementary School Journal, 106(2), 402-436. https://doi.org/10.1086/499193
Yamauchi, L., Ponte, E., Ratliffe, T., & Traynor, K. (2017). Theoretical and conceptual frameworks used in research on family-school partnership. School Community Journal, 27(2), 9-34.
Al-Daihani, S. (2005). Supervisors’ attitudes toward family involvement in Kuwait middle schools. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia.
Al-Fadley, A., Al-Holy, A., & Al-Adwani, A. (2018). Teacher perception of parents' involvement in their children’s literacy and their reading instructions in Kuwait EFL primary school classrooms. International Journal of Education and Practice, 6, (3), 120-133. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.61.2018.63.120.133
Al-Harrasi, S., & Al-Mahrooqi, R. (2014). Investigating Omani parents’ involvement in their children’s schooling. European Journal of Scientific Research, 117 (2), 272-286.
Al-Mahdi, O. (2010). Linking home and school mathematics: A qualitative case study in a Bahraini Primary School. Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing.
Al-Mahrooqi, R., Denman, C., & Al-Maamari, F. (2016). Omani parents’ involvement in their children’s English education. SAGE Open, 6(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016629190
Al-Qaryouti, I., & Kilani, H. (2015). Role of Omani parents: fostering emergent literacy skills. Education 3-13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 43(3), 336-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2013.815248
Al-Sumaiti, R. (2012). Parental involvement in the education of their children in Dubai. Dubai School of Government Policy Brief, 30. Retrieved July 30, 2018 from http://www.khda.gov.ae/CMS/.../Parental_Involvement_in_the_Education.pdf
Al-Taneiji, S. (2013). The role of leadership in engaging parents in United Arab Emirate schools. International Education Studies, 6(1), 153-165. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v6n1p153
Baeck, U. (2010). ‘We are professionals’: A study of teachers’ views on parental involvement in schools. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 31(3), 323-335. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425691003700565
Bakker, J., & Denessen, E. (2007). The concept of parent involvement: Some theoretical and empirical considerations. International Journal about Parents in Education, 1(0), 188-199.
Battle-Bailey, L. (2004). Review of research: Interactive homework for increasing parent involvement and students reading achievement. Childhood Education, 81(1), 36-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2004.10521292
Bauch, P., & Goldring, E. (1998). Parent-teacher participation in the context of school governance. Peabody Journal of Education, 73(1), 15-35. https://doi.org/10.1080/01619569809538875
Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. Richardson (Ed.). How people learn: Brain, mind, experiences and school. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
Christenson, S., & Sheridan, S. (2001). Schools and families: Creating essential connections for learning. New York: Guilford.
Desforges, C., & Abouchaar, A. (2003). The impact of parental involvement, parental support and family education on pupil achievement and adjustment: A literature review. London: Department of Education and Skills.
Edwards, C., & and Kutaka, T. (2015). Diverse perspectives of parents, diverse concepts of parent involvement and participations: Contrasts between Italy and the United States. In S. M. Sheridan, & E. M. Kim (Eds). Foundational Aspects of Family-School Partnership Research (pp. 1-14). New York: Springer.
Epstein, J. (2011). School, family and community partnerships. United States: Westview Press.
Epstein, J., Galindo, C., & Sheldon, b. (2011). Levels of leadership: Effects of district and school leaders on the quality of school programs of family and community involvement. Educational Administration Quarterly, 47(3), 462-495. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161x10396929
Epstein, J., Sanders, M., Sheldon, S., Simon, B., Salinas, K., Janson, N., Van Voorhis, F., … Williams, K. (2018). School, family, and community partnerships: Your handbook for action. United Kingdom: Crowin.
Eun, B. (2010). From learning to development: A sociocultural approach to instruction. Cambridge Journal of Education, (40), 401-418. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305764x.2010.526593
Fan, Q. (2012). Parents perceptions and practices in homework: Implications for school-teacher-parent partnership. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). The Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Illinois, Chicago.
Feiler, A., Andrews, L., Greenhough, P., Hughes, M., Johnson, D., Scanlan, M., & Yee. W. (2008). The home school knowledge exchange project: Linking home and school to improve children’s literacy. Support for Learning, 23, 12-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9604.2008.00363.x
Ginsburg-Block, M., Manz, P., & McWayne, C. (2010). Parenting to foster achievement in reading and mathematics. In S. L. Christenson & A. Reschly (Eds). Handbook of school- family partnerships (pp. 175-2013). New York: Springer.
Gonzalez, N., Moll, L., & Amanti, C. (2005). Funds of knowledge: Theorizing practices in households, communities and classrooms. NJ: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410613462
Goos, M., Lincoln, D., Coco, A., Frid, S., Galbraith, P., & Horne, M. (2004). Home, school and community partnership to support children’s numeracy. Australia: Department of Education, Science and Training.
Grolnick, W., & Raftery-Helmer, J. (2015). Core components of family-school connections: Toward a model of need satisfying partnership. In S. M. Sheridan, & E. Moorman Kim (Eds). Foundational Aspects of Family-School Partnership Research (pp. 15-34). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13838-1_2
Henderson, A., & Mapp, K. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community connections on students achievement. Austin: TX: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.
Hoover-Dempsey, K., & Sandler, H. (1995). Parental involvement in children’s education: Why does it make a difference?. Teachers College Record, 97(2), 310-331.
Hoover-Dempsey, K., & Sandler, H. (1997). Why do parents become involved in their children’s education? Review of Educational Research, 67(1), 3-42. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543067001003
Hoover-Dempsey, K., & Sandler, H. (2005). Final performance report for OERI: The social contexts of parental involvement: A path to enhanced achievement. Presented to Project Monitor, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, March 22, 2005.
Hornby, G. (2011). Parental involvement in childhood education: Building effective school-family partnership. Berlin: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8379-4
Ivic, I. (2000). Lev S. Vygotsky. UNESCO: International Bureau of Education.
Kim, E., & Sheridan, S. (2015). Foundational aspects of family-school connections: Definitions, conceptual frameworks, and research needs. In S. M. Sheridan, & E. Moorman Kim (Eds). Foundational Aspects of Family-School Partnership Research (pp. 1-14). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13838-1_1
Mackenzie, J. (2009). Family learning: Engaging with parents. Scotland: Dunedin.
McDevitt, T., & Ormrod, J. (2013). Child development and education. Pearson International Edition (5th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.
Moll, L., Amanti, C., Neff, D., & Gonzalez. (1992). Funds of knowledge for teaching: Using qualitative approach to connect home and classroom. Theory Into Practice, XXXI(2), 132-141. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405849209543534
Piaget, J. (1981). Their relations during child development. Palo Alto, CA: Annual Reviews.
Tekin, A. (2011). Parent involvement revisited: Background, theories, and models. International Journal of Applied Educational Studies, 10, 1-13.
Velez-Agisto, N., Soto-Crespo, J., Vizcarrondo-Oppenheimer, M., Vega-Molina, S., & Coll, C. (2017). Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory revision: Moving from macro into micro. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(5), 900-910. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691617704397
Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.
Walker, J., Wilkins, A., Dallaire, J., Sandler, H., & Hoover-Dempsey, K. (2005). Parental involvement: Model revision through scale development. Elementary School Journal, 106(2), 402-436. https://doi.org/10.1086/499193
Yamauchi, L., Ponte, E., Ratliffe, T., & Traynor, K. (2017). Theoretical and conceptual frameworks used in research on family-school partnership. School Community Journal, 27(2), 9-34.
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2019-10-18
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