In this introduction to the special issue, we provide a brief discussion of (a) challenges gleaned from the literature on school–parent collaboration and (b) our rationale for including and highlighting research that centralizes parents and that varies in researcher positionalities and methods. The studies in this special issue illuminate the complexities of parent–school partnerships and provide practical recommendations to facilitate stronger school–family relationships to support students with learning disabilities.
ArzubiagaA.ArtilesA.KingK.Harris-MurriN. (2008). Beyond research on cultural minorities: Challenges and implications of research as situated cultural practice. Exceptional Children, 74, 309–327.
2.
CavendishW.HarryB.MendaA.EspinosaA.MahotiereM. (2016). Implementing Response to Intervention: Challenges of diversity and system change in a high stakes environment. Teachers College Record, 118, 1–36.
3.
CollinsK. M. (2003). Ability profiling and school failure: One child’s struggle to be seen as competent. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
4.
ConnorD. J.GallagherD.FerriB. (2011). Broadening our horizons: Toward a plurality of methodologies in learning disability research. Learning Disability Quarterly, 32, 107–121. doi:10.1177/0731948711419276
5.
HarryB. (2008). Collaboration with culturally and linguistically diverse families: Ideal versus reality. Exceptional Children, 74, 372–388.
6.
HarryB.KalyanpurM. (2012). Cultural reciprocity in special education: Building family–professional relationships. Baltimore, MD: Paul. H. Brooks.
7.
Individual with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. P. L.105–117.20 U. S. C. § 1400 et seq. (1997).
8.
Individual with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. H. R.1350, 108th Cong.
9.
LandmarkL.RobertsE.ZhangD. (2013). Educators’ beliefs and practices about parent involvement in transition planning. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 36, 114–123. doi:10.1177/2165143412463047
10.
TuckerV.SchwartzI. (2013). Parents’ perspectives of collaboration with school professionals: Barriers and facilitators to successful partnerships in planning for students with ASD. School Mental Health, 5, 3–14. doi:10.1007/s12310-012-9102-0
11.
ValleJ. (2009). What mothers say about special education: From the 1960s to the present. London, England: Palgrave McMillan.
12.
ZeitlinV.CurcicS. (2014). Parental voices on Individualized Education Programs: “Oh, IEP meeting tomorrow? Rum tonight!”Disability & Society, 29, 373–387. doi:10.1080/09687599.2013.77649
