One of the basic reasons for early drop-out of school is undoubtedly connected to the role of the family. On the other hand, another important factor related to early school leaving involves the role of schools. Teachers and school leaders often fail to approach and involve parents in the educational process of their children. The project has sought to achieve the lowering of the rate of school drop-outs by 1. Empowering parents by breaking the vicious circle of inter-generational disadvantage by supporting and empowering parents to become equal partners in the educational pathway of their children. 2. Providing teachers with the resources to develop skills for the effective engagement of parents. 3. Providing parent education by school teachers.
The main objective of the School + Family Alliance project is development of a solid methodology to engage the parents of disadvantaged students in the education of their children, through the implementation of an inclusive education approach. Parental engagement is determinant for the educational inclusion and success of their children and an undoubted tool to combat early school leaving. It is the role of the school to engage parents in all levels of operation (everyday work, decision making, curriculum development, etc), that is why an inclusive approach is needed for their effective and sustainable engagement. The proposed project approach consists of certain guidelines for the inclusion of disadvantaged students and their parents and aims to achieve the active involvement of parents, the upskilling of educational staff so as to involve parents more and the creation of an inclusive school environment.