Engaging Parents of Students with Disabilities with School to Enhance Student Learning: A Mixed-Methods Research Approach

Abstract

The engagement of parents with schools plays a crucial role in fostering the inclusion of students with disabilities in mainstream educational settings. The effectiveness of any inclusive education environment hinges significantly on the communication between teachers and parents. This research aims to assess the actual level of parental involvement in the education of students with disabilities and explore the dynamics that either enhance or impede the relationship between schools and families of such students. Employing a mixed methods approach, the study utilized 331 questionnaires and conducted interviews with nine special education teachers. The findings revealed varying degrees of parental involvement, influenced by factors like school culture, parents' educational background, and their attitudes and expectations regarding their own abilities and their children's learning capabilities.