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		Extracts from research into “ Parents as Partners with Schools ” This century has seen an extensive change in attitude towards the involvement of parents in schools. Our great-grandparents’ participation in school life was very different from the role that the majority of parents have nowadays in the education of their children. To be effective partners with schools, parents have to develop an understanding of the nature of their child's education and have: " ... an acceptance ... of their role in education (which) enhances and supports the role of the teacher." (Killeen M, President, European Parents Association, 1996, p.3.) Schools, for their part, have to respond to each individual's concerns: " Parents are an essential resource and have knowledge and experience which can complement the work of teachers. " (Layzell P. 1995 p.30) Parents have the opportunity to be far more involved today in the school life of their children and the benefits to the child are enormous: " Remember if you think there is a problem, then there probably is. It will only get worse if you do not find help quickly. " (Davis J. 1983) - - o - - To those who may still doubt the wisdom or necessity of providing adequate education for all children, whatever their needs, the writer offers the following anecdote: “An old man watched fascinated as a young man walked along the beach picking up starfish and throwing them into the sea. When the young man was asked why he was doing this he replied, ‘The starfish have been washed up by the tide and if left here they will die.’ The old man said, ‘But there are so many, what does it matter?’ The young man picked up a starfish, looked at it and said, ‘It matters to this one’  ” (McKay, 1991, p.1). - - o - - From the Child’s perspective You need to walk in my moccasins and see through my eyes before you can understand me (Native American saying) Taken from research by Barbara Follows, 1996, 1997, 2002 & 2006

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Barbara Follows