Māori Parents and Education

Book excerpt: This book identifies some of the aspirations and concerns of Maori parents for, and about, their children's education. It provides valuable insights which may contribute to shaping better home-school relationships for Maori parents and children. The parents in the study wanted their children to have a better education than they had, and expressed a strong wish to be involved in their child's schooling. The key factor is school outreach. When teachers reach out into the community, showing their respect for the relationships and activities which matter for Maori parents and their children, partnerships with parents appear to be more readily achieved. How well Maori children do at school is strongly linked towith how well parents and children relate to school staff.