Education: The Views of Adoptive Parents

Abstract

The changing nature of adoption means that more children being placed have experienced traumas that are likely to affect their educational progress. This is manifest in the raised levels of special educational needs among adopted children. Yet, the benefits of educational fulfilment are especially pertinent for such children, given their disadvantaged backgrounds. This summary of a survey of adoptive parents by Pauline Cooper and Sandra Johnson reveals some satisfaction with existing arrangements but highlights areas for improvement. These include giving parents better information on their child's educational needs and their future implications, sharing information more effectively between parents and teachers, increasing teachers' awareness of the needs of adopted children, dealing with children's unhappiness in school, especially bullying, and facilitating children's and parents' access to specialist help.