× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Ongoing support Reporting on student progress One of the difficulties for parents reading reports is deciphering the grading system and assessment methods. Due to a lack of information in their first language, parents from migrant or refugee backgrounds often rely on verbal feedback from their children about their progress at school, which may not provide an accurate description of progress. This situation can lead to family conflict. Schools may need to explain the reporting system to parents at meetings. The biggest barrier for parents is often English literacy. If written translation of a report cannot be provided, schools can offer interpreter assisted parent-teacher interviews as strategy for parents/carers to access information about their child’s progress. Distributing reports Some schools have reported that parents do not always receive their child’s school report. Many schools send reports home with students, which is cost effective, however it is difficult to determine whether the family actually receives the report. Some migrant or refugee parents report that their child hides a report they are ashamed of when it has been given to the student directly. Parents sometimes don’t know when a report is due and as a result don’t know when to approach their child or the school about reports. Schools that post reports home say they have more success with reports being received by parents. Some schools choose to distribute reports at parent-teacher meetings. Resources 0 Course menu Introduction 1 Welcome tour 2 Getting started 3 Overview 4 Benefits of engaging families 5 Issues for migrant and refugee families 6 Issues for schools Planning for engagement 1 Overview 2 Involving key staff 3 Identifying the target groups 4 Targeting communities 5 Working with community partners 6 Setting objectives 7 Allocating resources Planning meetings & events 1 Overview 2 Deciding on a format 3 Setting the agenda 4 Seeking parent and student input 5 Choosing an appropriate time 6 Finding a suitable location 7 Arranging childcare 8 Arranging catering 9 Arranging transport 10 Inviting families 11 Translating information 12 Arranging interpreters Meeting management 1 Overview 2 Arranging seating 3 Preparing and managing interpreters 4 Greeting parents 5 Keeping the discussions on track 6 Building trust 7 Exploring expectations about school involvement 8 Explaining practical systems and roles 9 Seeking feedback from parents 10 Sustaining parent involvement Ongoing support 1Overview 2Creating a welcoming environment 3Seeking consent 4Addressing parent concerns about camps 5Catering for cultural dietary needs 6Discussing welfare concerns with parents 7Addressing discipline issues 8Reporting on student progress 9Holding parent-teacher meetings 10Creating opportunities for meaningful involvement Acknowledgements 1 Acknowledgements Resources 0
× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Ongoing support Reporting on student progress One of the difficulties for parents reading reports is deciphering the grading system and assessment methods. Due to a lack of information in their first language, parents from migrant or refugee backgrounds often rely on verbal feedback from their children about their progress at school, which may not provide an accurate description of progress. This situation can lead to family conflict. Schools may need to explain the reporting system to parents at meetings. The biggest barrier for parents is often English literacy. If written translation of a report cannot be provided, schools can offer interpreter assisted parent-teacher interviews as strategy for parents/carers to access information about their child’s progress. Distributing reports Some schools have reported that parents do not always receive their child’s school report. Many schools send reports home with students, which is cost effective, however it is difficult to determine whether the family actually receives the report. Some migrant or refugee parents report that their child hides a report they are ashamed of when it has been given to the student directly. Parents sometimes don’t know when a report is due and as a result don’t know when to approach their child or the school about reports. Schools that post reports home say they have more success with reports being received by parents. Some schools choose to distribute reports at parent-teacher meetings. Resources 0 Course menu Introduction 1 Welcome tour 2 Getting started 3 Overview 4 Benefits of engaging families 5 Issues for migrant and refugee families 6 Issues for schools Planning for engagement 1 Overview 2 Involving key staff 3 Identifying the target groups 4 Targeting communities 5 Working with community partners 6 Setting objectives 7 Allocating resources Planning meetings & events 1 Overview 2 Deciding on a format 3 Setting the agenda 4 Seeking parent and student input 5 Choosing an appropriate time 6 Finding a suitable location 7 Arranging childcare 8 Arranging catering 9 Arranging transport 10 Inviting families 11 Translating information 12 Arranging interpreters Meeting management 1 Overview 2 Arranging seating 3 Preparing and managing interpreters 4 Greeting parents 5 Keeping the discussions on track 6 Building trust 7 Exploring expectations about school involvement 8 Explaining practical systems and roles 9 Seeking feedback from parents 10 Sustaining parent involvement Ongoing support 1Overview 2Creating a welcoming environment 3Seeking consent 4Addressing parent concerns about camps 5Catering for cultural dietary needs 6Discussing welfare concerns with parents 7Addressing discipline issues 8Reporting on student progress 9Holding parent-teacher meetings 10Creating opportunities for meaningful involvement Acknowledgements 1 Acknowledgements Resources 0
