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Type 2 – Communicating

 type2key

COMMUNICATING

BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOLS

SCHOOL-TO-HOME COMMUNICATIONS

  • Memos, notices, report cards, conferences, newsletters, phone calls, computerized messages
  • Information on school programs, tests, and children’s progress
  • Information to choose or change schools, courses, programs, or activities

HOME-TO-SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS

  • Two-way channels of communication for questions and interactions
SAMPLE PRACTICES
  • Conferences with every parent at least once a year with follow-ups as needed
  • Language translators to assist families as needed
  • Folders of student work sent home weekly or monthly for parent review and comments
  • Parent and student pickup of report cards
  • Regular schedule of useful notices, memos, phone calls, and other communications
  • Effective newsletters including information about questions, reactions, and suggestions
  • Clear information about choosing schools, and selecting courses, programs, and activities within schools
  • Clear information on all school policies, programs, reforms, assessments, and transitions
  • Annual survey of families on students’ needs and families’ suggestions and reactions to school programs
CHALLENGES
  • Make all memos, notices, and other print and nonprint communications clear and understandable for ALL families
  • Obtain ideas from families to improve the design and content of communications such as newsletters, report cards, and conference schedules
REDEFINITIONS
  • “Communications about school programs and student progress” are not only from school to home, but also from home to school and with the community.
RESULTS FOR STUDENTS
  • Awareness of own progress in subjects and skills
  • Knowledge of actions needed to maintain or improve grades
  • Awareness of own role as courier and communicator in partnerships
RESULTS FOR PARENTS
  • High rating of quality of the school
  • Support for child’s progress and responses to correct problems
  • Ease of interactions and communications with school and teachers
RESULTS FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS
  • Ability to communicate clearly
  • Use of network of parents to communicate with all families