Start Your Motor to Break the Code: a case of collaboration between school and parents of children with dyslexia

Sammanfattning: The intention of this case study is to contribute to the general body of special education needs (SEN) knowledge with the results from SEN provision practice for children diagnosed with dyslexia in one particular school. The aim of the study is to get a deeper understanding for how educators (headmaster, teachers and SEN teachers) and parents of children diagnosed with dyslexia experience their collaboration in meeting the needs of these children in the inclusive mainstream classroom. Questions addressed are: how communication of expectations for the remedial measures takes place, how the process of remedial measures is communicated, how educators and parents experience their cooperation and, what impact does the school policy have on the collaboration between teachers and parents. The theoretical framework is based on a communication, relations-based perspective (KoRP). The hybrid nature of this perspective covers the different aspects of the schools organisation and practice with the focus on relation between individuals and their environment. Participation of pupils with dyslexia in the learning process is observed in the classrooms as well as through the eyes of their educators and parents. Relations of all sides involved in the SEN: teachers and parents, teachers and pupils with dyslexia, parents and their children are studied. Formal and informal communication and collaboration, seen as participation in SEN activities, are analysed. The methods used are: observations of two lessons, school document analysis and seven interviews. Four educators and three parents are interviewed. The empirical findings confirm the vital role of good relations for learning of children with dyslexia. Good relations can be established and maintained by securing the clear routines in school with the special accent paid on the sensitivity of the initial contact between school and parents. Swift action in recognizing the difficulties, introducing a SEN toolkit and contacting parents is appreciated by all sides involved. The parents’ relief from the guilty feeling of inadequacy follows. Good relations require meetings in person. Collaboration is established by good relations and it enhances the participation in learning activities of children with dyslexia. School policy documents have a positive effect in giving clear guidance in securing routines of SEN. They provide enough maneuvering space before the action plans of provision (APP) are introduced. Educators see action plans of provision (APP) as necessary documentation while parents show indifference to them. Much about SEN routines in the years 1-3 remains to be done. In conclusion, the effects of clear routines as defined by Skolverket (2014) leave space for building good relations on all levels: organisational, group and individual and have a positive outcome in this case study. The implications of this study are directed mainly to broadening the mandatory rights of the SEN educators in organising a closer collaboration with the parents of children diagnosed with dyslexia and spreading SEN knowledge to the early stage of the school. Although the results of this case study cannot be generalized they cast the light on questions that need yet to be answered by all schools: how SEN educators can best be involved in the early intervention (years 1-3) and what more they can do to improve the collaboration between school and parents from the position of KoRP.