What's the difference between parent-teacher relationships in special education opposed to general education?
In an article titled, “14 More Practical Ways to Involve Parents”, the author discusses the ways that a teacher can create an effective relationship between school and home. The number one rule Dardig presents is, “…understanding the roles of parents of children with disabilities and how you as a teacher can relate to and assist the parent” . It is vital that the teacher can understand the parents. It will enable the parent to feel more comfortable with the teacher and the teacher will be more comfortable with the parent. Dardig talks about her hopes for teacher to create communication portfolios for each student. She claims that the steps she has outlined will enable the teacher to create good rapport with the parent and create a partnership which will enhance the child’s education. “You will find that by establishing this system of organizing models of your parent communication and involvement materials, you will be able to open and maintain the lines of communication and get parental cooperation without adding significantly to your load of paperwork”. Although it sounds as though all this information is about the teacher and parent, it will result in a positive outcome for the child. Dardig says, “And, of course, the payoff is that the child will benefit in many ways from this positive parent/teacher collaboration”.
Children with special needs require more attention than those in the regular classroom setting. They are in no way more important than the other children, but their needs are different. Although parent-teacher relationships are between the parent and the teacher the result mainly affects the child. Parent-teacher relationships can be detrimental or extremely helpful to a child’s educational experience. As a teacher, especially a special education teacher, the child’s life should be as consistent as it possibly can. Parents need to help teachers better understand their children, and teachers need to help parents continue the educational process at home. Repetition and consistency are both key to the successful education of a child with special needs.
Children with special needs require more attention than those in the regular classroom setting. They are in no way more important than the other children, but their needs are different. Although parent-teacher relationships are between the parent and the teacher the result mainly affects the child. Parent-teacher relationships can be detrimental or extremely helpful to a child’s educational experience. As a teacher, especially a special education teacher, the child’s life should be as consistent as it possibly can. Parents need to help teachers better understand their children, and teachers need to help parents continue the educational process at home. Repetition and consistency are both key to the successful education of a child with special needs.