Is there a place for families in secondary education? Perceptions and proposals to transform the institutional programme of schools

Abstract

The responses made to a questionnaire at the beginning of an action-research in different secondary schools show us the opinions that teachers of these educational institutions have on the relationship with families. The aim was not just to know the opinions of the teachers but to use them in the staff meetings of the schools involved in order to open a process of reflection and implementation of pedagogical proposals to modify aspects of the school culture. All this was done
in favour of a more fluid and, at the same time, deeper, relationship with families. Indeed, the role and place of families in the secondary schools is a key point to moving towards a new institutional programme, a re-institutionalization that should place links with families and community at the centre of educational concerns, as an essential aspect to improve the learning of all pupils.