Introduction
As you know, all people are different taking into consideration their appearance, traits of character, and ideas on various issues, though people’s views can be similar as well as they can be alike. The same thing is with families: a range of problems existing in different families can be similar, though their members apply different approaches to discuss and solve numerous issues.
Family Partnerships by Jobeth Allen
The current paper is based on the article written by Jobeth Allen. The article “Family Partnerships” was published in September 2008 in the Education Leadership, 66th volume which is called The Positive Classroom. After this, the article was presented in the Annual Editions: The Family 10/11 completed by Kathleen Gilbert. The “Family Partnerships” is situated in the first unit of the book which is called “Evolving Perspectives on the Family”. So, even without reading the article one can say that all articles situated in this unit should discuss some problems related to the family, perspectives of the family, and development of possible perspectives which can be introduced in a definite family. The author presents her view on the problem of cooperation between families and schools which could improve the learning process and facilitate understanding between children from different families, especially those where parents are representatives of different races. When children come to know that all families are different in terms of cultural variations, they can experience discomfort and would not know how to act and respond. The article written by JoBeth Allen helps to understand the importance of cooperation between schools and families in the process of acquiring knowledge on cultural diversity.
Partnerships between schools and families are aimed at helping to make the process of sharing information with other children and learning among children easier and less strained. Respect for the family is one more essential principle of partnerships discussed in the article “Family Partnerships”. The strengths and abilities of every family should be respected by its members; moreover, children should be aware of cultural varieties within families and respect them as well. Parents as members of their families can offer help in extracurricular activities or make monthly or annual contributions to fundraising, while they can help in a different way to support their children and facilitate learning among children. The process of education should not be unilateral; it has to take into account all parties concerned. Parents, instructors, and children become participants of a certain action while using specific strategies, which take place both at school and at home.
JoBeth Allen introduces different strategies which can facilitate partnerships between families and contribute to better learning of children. Instructors should provide two-side relations which would help to learn a child and his or her environment. Ethnically diverse families should not be discriminated against; however, the approach to partnerships with such families must be different. These strategies are aimed at supporting the ideas of learning at home (where parents can help) and applying them to cultural diversities within families.
Personal Evaluation
I like this article because it is written in clear language which is easy to understand; the author tries to explain her strategies and the basic principles of cooperation and partnership in simple words. The article is devoted to a discussion of culturally diverse families and ways that can facilitate learning among children from families with culturally diverse problems. I have managed to find aspects applicable to all families irrespective of their cultural origin and diversities. The aspect of partnership can be considered the one that can be used in all schools by different children and families.
The article I have chosen does not discuss any similarities regarding my family, though my parents were always ready to contribute to the fundraising effort and volunteer in extracurricular activities when I was at school. My family cannot be considered a cultural-diverse one; however, there appeared some misunderstandings concerning the partnership with the school because my mother tried to engage my father in my learning.
I agree with the author’s purpose for writing the article because such guidelines as engaging families in school activities and providing a genuine dialogue with families to facilitate learning among children. I believe that the article is based on the author’s experience of communicating with students from families where cultural variation is a problem that influences the children’s learning. Although the author discussed issues relevant to education in the modern multicultural society where bigotry and discrimination leave no place for impartialness and unprejudiced actions, the theme of partnerships seems very original can be established between schools and families for the benefit of students.
To conclude, partnerships can be established between different groups within the society. Cooperation and understanding can make cultural variations an aspect that would not be visible or significant for people. Thereby, strategies of engaging families into class activities can become the very beginning of an objective and unprejudiced society; the multiracial society should treat equally all its members regardless of ethnic origin and cultural variety.
Works Cited
Allen, JoBeth. “Family Partnerships.” Annual Editions. The Family 10/11. Ed. Kathleen Gilbert. United States: McGraw-Hill, 2009