Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed knowledge and understandings of the reasons for involving parents in educational decision making; the processes that ensure good involvement; programs of community development that can occur at the school; the benefits of community involvement in school activities; decision-making strategies to ensure involvement. Students should have developed skills which will enable them to implement process issues such as communication, group work skills, agency cooperation and policy development; program issues such as needs assessment, goal setting and planning skills; and evaluate the success of a school-community activity. Students should have developed values or attitudes which enable them to work with other members of the school community in a collaborative way and adopt positive strategies for involvement.
Synopsis This subject focuses on ways in which school-community relations can be improved. Strategies for involving parents and community members in school improvement activities in the areas of policy development, curriculum development and extra-curricular activities will be considered. Lectures, tutorials and workshops will be used to develop students' skills and understandings, with a view to developing their visions for a school and its community.
Assessment Examination (2 hours): 50% + Essay (2000 words): 50%