Student-Parent-Teacher Relationship in Education:

A Summary of Survey Findings

                This is a summary of the findings of a survey study given in the next few articles:

1.  The most spoken about and moving relationship is the parent-youngster relationship.  Education is an arena where the parent-youngster relationship has an opportunity to be expressed and shaped for the first time outside of the family unit.  Both, parents as well as youngsters express their love towards each other, express desire to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the other, and yet recognize their frustration in not being able to ‘live up’ to the expectations of the other.  Parents want to give the best to their youngster, but they are often seen as over-expecting and ‘pushy.’  Youngsters want to please their parents, but fail because their parents often don’t have the time and attention to devote to them.  

2.  A most effective way of developing a close and supportive parent-youngster relationship is through spirituality – recognizing the presence, guidance, and empowerment of God in everyday circumstances.  Families in which spirituality is emphasized, the parents have a greater tendency to understand and appreciate what their youngsters experience.  Likewise in those families, the youngsters appreciate their parents’ dedication, and try to excel in education because of it.  Both parents and youngsters express great satisfaction of the parent-youngster relationship.  This is not due to magic.  Rather it is the result of parents and youngsters sharing the depths of their thoughts and feelings about a very foundational reality – the Eternal life, the long term vision of life!

3.  All groups recognize that if a student wants to study, learn, and progress – he or she can do so, and no one can stand in his or her way.  However, even though the responsibility falls on the student, yet the support of parents and the vision forming ability of teachers play key and irreplaceable roles in the extent to which a student will develop his or her unique capabilities.

4.  The teacher’s role is the most uncertain one.  Although all expect teachers to ‘simply teach students,’ yet teachers recognize that their task is far wider.  They have to also educate the students’ parents in order for them to understand and appreciate their youngster’s progress.  Further, they have to facilitate the communication between the parents and the school system – an unrecognized and a most frustrating responsibility, and yet one that is not appreciated by any.  There are two major frustrations by teachers:  First, the expectation of them disciplining children whose parents have failed.  Second, the lack of appreciation and support by majority of parents.

5.  Students and teachers recognize that those children who have a sense of spirituality know the right from the wrong in life and school activities, are more courteous to teachers and peers, and are better able to focus on their studies.  However, majority of the parents fail to recognize this connection.  Only those parents who send their children to religious school are aware of the importance of spirituality, and recognize their youngster’s religious education as ‘the greatest and most important investment in life’!

6.  Once the above findings are brought to their attention, all groups are interested in being enlightened about various aspects of education, including the importance of spirituality.  They all say that there is a lack of education and guidance in the attempt to bring students, parents, and teachers together, and strengthen those bonds through spirituality.

Student - Parent - Teacher Relationship:
The Survey Questionnaire

I.  The Student’s Perspective

II.  The Parent’s Perspective

III. The Teacher's Perspective

Voices of Experience:  Parents On Educating Teenagers

Teenager Related Cover Page

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