Parent-Teacher Relationships with Emphasis on Immigrants Parents and the Role of Teachers

Abstract

Parental involvement takes place within the school setting, within the family environment, and/or between the two of them. However, effective interaction is hampered among stakeholders. In the case of culturally diverse parents, these barriers are reinforced by teachers' hidden demands or expectations for parental involvement and by their entrenched attitudes and views about both parents' language and culture, as well as their low expectations regarding the academic career of immigrant students. The proposed interventions aim to empower and encourage immigrant parents, utilizing their cultural capital, so that all stakeholders can participate equally in a pluralistic dialogue. The responsibility to achieve this, is passed on to the teachers as they define and determine the fulfillment of parental involvement.