The role of the school when a family dissolves : perceptions of parents, educators, and social service professionals

Abstract

This doctoral study investigated the role of the school when a family dissolves as perceived by parents, educators, and social service professionals. Perceptions of the most effective supports and the most appropriate services a school can provide children experiencing parental divorce are reported for each of the three. The principal instrument used to gather data was a 15-item questionnaire developed by the researcher. Data analysis of survey items was completed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Follow-up interviews were conducted with two members of each survey respondent group to obtain more in-depth responses to the survey questions. All respondent groups agreed that there is a role for the school when a family dissolves as a result of parental divorce. All respondents agreed that individual counseling and regular meetings with the school counselor are very effective supports and are very appropriate services for schools to offer children. Respondents also agreed that the teacher plays an important role in providing effective support and appropriate services to children experiencing parental divorce and that peer counseling was an effective support and an appropriate service for these children. Clearly, support for schools to assume a role in the vent of family dissolution exists among the three groups, although there are differences in the effectiveness and appropriateness assigned to certain strategies by the various groups. Better communication and collaboration among the groups would enhance the provision of effective supports and appropriate services in schools to children experiencing parental divorce.