Running

head: LITERATURE REVIEW

Literature Review of the Article

Communication with Parents: Strategies for Teachers
TED 690
Dario Workman
National University

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Abstract

This paper will briefly discuss a review of the article Communication with

Parents: Strategies for Teachers. Additionally, this paper will contain a general
synopsis of the elements contained within the article, as well as an analysis of the
content discussing how the findings within the article are relevant for the fifth TPE
domain. Additionally, this paper will briefly reflect upon how these strategies could
be applied to instructional methodologies used in the classroom.

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Summary

The article Communicating with Parents: Strategies for Teachers, written by

Susan Graham-Clay, begins by discussing the increased expectations, economic
pressures, and time constraints felt today by schools and parents alike. The article
continues this line of thinking by citing research that discusses the importance developing
schools into learning communities through the cultivation of teacher-parent relationships
(Graham-Clay, 2004, pg. 118). This importance that has been placed on the development
of such learning communities is, according to the author of the article, due to the fact that
many teachers are not specifically trained in the skills they need to communicate
effectively with parents (pg. 118). The author further argues that since communication
practices with parents is so vital to creating this essential teacher-parent relationship,
teacher training programs should actively promote such development through coursework
and other requirements.
The article outlines several effective communication strategies, which are
organized into to broad categories: one-way communication and two-way
communication. One-way communication is what the author defines as when teachers
seek to inform parents about events, activities, or student progress through a variety of
sources. This method of communication is most traditionally observed through letters
that have been mailed home, like report cards or other administrative correspondence.
Two-way, then, is described as when teachers and parents dialogue together. This can
occur through telephone communication, email, or in person. The article continues by
discussing the necessity for a balanced approach of both one-way and two-way avenues
of communication.

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The author proceeds to discuss several types of barriers that complicate the
development of the teacher-parent partnership. One barrier in particular is that parents
fell unsupported, misunderstood, and overwhelmed by the demands placed upon them.
Another barrier is related to the many cultural differences that are significantly hindering
communication in schools. The author also comments on other factors, such as financial
issues, time constraints, and even the parents own negative school experiences.
Analysis
One strategy that was of particular interest to this candidate was the concept of
creating a classroom newsletter. This method of communication would be classified as a
one-way method; however, it would still be an effective tool for communicating with
parents. Another strategy that had appeared effective was the concept of using webbased applications that provide opportunities for parental communication.
The author discussed several interesting concepts regarding the image that a
school presents to its parents. As an educator, it is necessary to control how you present
content to the class. This also translates school-wide regarding how the staff interacts
with parents, the cleanliness of the school, the absence of student work posted in the
halls, etc. The author describes this image as a customer-friendly mentality. This type
of image that a school environment reflects is one of the most important ways that the
school signals the importance placed on parental communication.

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Reference

Graham-Clay, S. (2004). Communicating with parents: Strategies for teachers. The

School Community Journal, 117-130. Retrieved from

www.adi.org/journal/ss05/Graham-Clay.pdf