Involving Roma parents: analysing the good practice of a primary school in Ghent. Issue 3 (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wauters, Joris; Van Mol, Christof; Clycq, Noel; Michielsen, Joris; Timmerman, Christiane
• Is Part Of: British journal of sociology of education. Volume 38:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 287
• Page End: 306
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Roma -- education -- good practice -- trust -- parental involvement; Educational sociology -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 306.43
• DOI: 10.1080/01425692.2015.1081053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-5692

Abstract

Abstract : Recently, societal and academic attention toward the topic of Roma integration has been increasing. With this article we aim to make a contribution to the domain of educational research. We explore strategies that schools can adopt to improve the involvement of Roma parents. Using a theory-based stakeholder evaluation, we more specifically analyse how the organizational model of a primary school contributes to the establishment of trust between both parties. The results show that the theoretical principles guiding the daily school practices and interventions are aligned with the needs and specificity of the target audience, but are also broadly supported by the school staff. As such, the organizational structure of the school contributes to the support of the school staff for the global school vision and to the overall success of the approach. Nevertheless, some tension remains between team members working on the 'care' aspect and teachers working solely within the classroom.