Student Developmental Needs Based Parent Partnership: A Case Study of Qilun Elementary School in Minhang District, Shanghai

Abstract

This case study reconsiders the value of parent partnerships from the perspectives of educational equity and quality in China, and develops a framework to discuss the relationship between student development and parent partnerships. The paper seeks to find out whether it is possible for disadvantaged parents to help a struggling school to reform itself through parent partnership. The research applies qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore the value of promoting student development with diversified parent/school activities. Research findings suggest that parent partnership in the case school have successfully provided a safe and healthy environment, abundant and diverse courses, student-based teaching and learning, and rich school lives for students. They also involve in school decision-making and create a better parent-child relationship.