Families: Standards 
Families are a child's FIRST teacher!
Our relationship with families has repeatedly been proven to have a profound impact on student success. Many parents face immense obstacles from actively participating in the education of their children. Maslow's hierarchy reminds us that when parents come into our classrooms, they are in different places in their development as well. The childhood experiences of school can impact how many parents interact with their children's teachers.
National Standards
Family involvement is part of the national standards:
INTASC Standards for Teachers:
Standard 10: School and Community Involvement
The teacher fosters relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well-being.
NBPTS Standards:
Proposition 5: Educators Are Members of Learning Communities.
5.1 Educators collaborate with the school community and other professionals.
5.2 Educators use community resources effectively.
5.3 Educators work collaboratively with parents.
Obstacles
Many obstacles that prevent parents and families from participating in their children's education in the traditional methods of involvement.
- work schedule
- other siblings/childcare
- transportation
- unaware of expectation
- fear
- timing of events
- cultural assumptions of education/teacher's role
- homelessness
- past experiences with school