ERIC Number: EJ1093554
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1047-6210
EISSN: N/A
Preparing Teachers for Family-School Partnerships: A Dutch and Belgian Perspective
Willemse, T. Martijn; Vloeberghs, Lijne; de Bruïne, Erica J.; Van Eynde, Sofie
Teaching Education, v27 n2 p212-228 2016
Family-school partnerships (FSP) are considered important for students' academic and social development. However, preparing preservice teachers for these partnerships is seen as a challenge. Most studies on preservice teachers' preparation for FSP have been conducted in North American contexts, and little knowledge exists from a European perspective. Therefore, a study was conducted to examine all teacher training programmes in Belgium (Flanders) and the Netherlands. Programme managers were asked to complete the Epstein and Sanders' survey on this topic. Findings show that in general, preparation for FSP is considered important and that this topic is integrated into different courses. Most respondents indicated that communication with parents received the most attention. However, a majority of programme managers feel that preservice teachers' preparation in this area is not sufficient. In some programmes, FSP is not included in the curriculum. A third of the managers argued that preparing teachers for FSP belongs in in-service training. This is remarkable given the fact that collaboration with parents is legally required for preservice teachers' graduation. Furthermore, this study shows that even a decade after Epstein and Sanders' study, preparing teachers for FSP is still a challenge.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Family School Relationship, Partnerships in Education, Preservice Teacher Education, Relevance (Education), Parent Teacher Cooperation, Teacher Competencies, Capacity Building, Educational Practices, Administrator Attitudes, Statistical Analysis, Course Content, Knowledge Level, Intention, Educational Change, Comparative Education, Administrator Surveys, Online Surveys, Teacher Education Programs
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Belgium; Netherlands
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A