Research Article

Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies

Volume: 11 Number: 2 August 5, 2025
TR EN

Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies

Abstract

This study examines the collaboration between special education teachers and parents, the challenges encountered in this process, and the coping strategies employed by both parties. Conducted using a qualitative research design, the study involved semi-structured interviews with five special education teachers and ten parents of children with special needs aged 7–11. All participants responded to the same four questions, and each interview lasted approximately 20 minutes. The data obtained were analyzed under four main themes: mutual expectations, forms of collaboration, encountered problems, and coping strategies. The findings revealed that while both teachers and parents share the common goal of supporting the child's development, significant differences exist in their expectations and approaches. Teachers reported that insufficient parental involvement, limited knowledge of their children’s needs, and a lack of ongoing communication hindered effective collaboration. Parents expressed dissatisfaction with teachers’ lack of innovation and the absence of noticeable progress in their children. Although teachers made efforts to maintain consistent communication through digital tools — sending reminders, instructional videos, and requesting video feedback from home activities — many parents chose to change schools rather than engage in problem-solving. The study concludes with suggestions to enhance collaboration between teachers and parents in special education settings.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Fırat Üniversitesi

Project Number

EF.24.11[D30]

Ethical Statement

Fırat Üniversitesi Etik Kurulu 17.08.2023 tarih 2023/15 sayılı oturumda (17825) çalışmanın etik kurallara uygun olduğuna oy birliği ile karar verilmiştir.

References

  1. Kelty, N. E., & Wakabayashi, T. (2020). Family engagement in schools: Parent, educator, and community perspectives. Sage Open, 10(4), 2158244020973024. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020973024 Kulak, R. (2020). School-parent cooperation, problems and solution proposals. Journal of Social, Humanities and Administrative Sciences, 6(31), 1628–1640. Lake, J., & Billingsley, B. S. (2000). An analysis of factors that contribute to parent–school conflict in special education. Remedial and Special Education, 21(4), 240–251. https://doi.org/10.1177/074193250002100407 Lara, L., & Saracostti, M. (2019). Effect of parental involvement on children’s academic achievement in Chile. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1464

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Child Development Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 5, 2025

Submission Date

June 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 29, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 2

APA
Bakir, Ö., & Elmalı, F. (2025). Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies. International Journal of Field Education, 11(2), 88-109. https://izlik.org/JA65MK35AE
AMA
1.Bakir Ö, Elmalı F. Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies. IJOFE. 2025;11(2):88-109. https://izlik.org/JA65MK35AE
Chicago
Bakir, Özmen, and Filiz Elmalı. 2025. “Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies”. International Journal of Field Education 11 (2): 88-109. https://izlik.org/JA65MK35AE.
EndNote
Bakir Ö, Elmalı F (August 1, 2025) Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies. International Journal of Field Education 11 2 88–109.
IEEE
[1]Ö. Bakir and F. Elmalı, “Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies”, IJOFE, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 88–109, Aug. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA65MK35AE
ISNAD
Bakir, Özmen - Elmalı, Filiz. “Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies”. International Journal of Field Education 11/2 (August 1, 2025): 88-109. https://izlik.org/JA65MK35AE.
JAMA
1.Bakir Ö, Elmalı F. Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies. IJOFE. 2025;11:88–109.
MLA
Bakir, Özmen, and Filiz Elmalı. “Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies”. International Journal of Field Education, vol. 11, no. 2, Aug. 2025, pp. 88-109, https://izlik.org/JA65MK35AE.
Vancouver
1.Özmen Bakir, Filiz Elmalı. Teacher-Parent Collaboration in Special Education: A Qualitative Study on Challenges, Expectations, and Coping Strategies. IJOFE [Internet]. 2025 Aug. 1;11(2):88-109. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA65MK35AE