Learning Curve
Strong Communication for Better Outcomes
Posted on July 26, 2021, by GAPMP
Parent Mentors in Action
Meet Ashla Wilson in Chatooga County
With the goal of working towards improving stakeholder engagement in her school district, this mentor used surveys to identify the needs of both parents and teachers regarding improved communication.
Parents left comments wanting better ways to talk with the teacher or having a way to get the teacher to respond.
Teachers responded saying they needed help getting parents to respond to things they send home or getting them to come in for meetings.
Both sides were looking for the most reliable way to communicate. Lack of access to technology was identified as a barrier.
“My initiative was to strengthen the communication partnerships between our parents and the school/teachers. When the parents know how or what way is best to communicate with the teacher then it makes it easier and better for the child to get the best education. If the parents have daily communication they then will know if the student is meeting goals or if they need to change goals before the next IEP meeting or if there are other things that need to be addressed.” She accomplished this by regular contact with families: “I followed up once a week with the families to make sure the communication they were using was still working best for them. I did one final call and survey asking if the communication feels stronger, If they feel like their needs are being meet better now that their communication is stronger and if they feel that with stronger communication if their child is still succeeding.”