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"The purpose of a school is to help a family educate a child."

Thank you, [|Don Edgar], Australian child psychologist. You captured perfectly how a school should view its work together with families, to improve children's life chances.

I have seen schools in many different parts of the world and, now that I am based in the Middle East, I am surrounded by a diverse mix of schools: Indian, American, British, International, Arab and more. After more than 30 years, it has become easier to understand what distinguishes the schools that are successful, and can sustain that success, from those that struggle. I have seen wealthy schools with breath-taking facilities. I have seen schools which are financially poor. Money is not the differentiator.

The single most critical factor is whether parents engage positively and actively with their children and their children's learning. Where they do, schools can thrive. Where they don't, schools struggle.

I can go further. I believe that what will distinguish "schools of the future" - schools that are fit for the 21st century - from those of the past is not a matter of technology but a matter of orientation. Schools of the future will guide and help parents in raising and educating their children. They will not preach to parents or patronise them. They will work with parents and habitually share insights into how children learn. They will share what the research tells us about child development and about how to raise a child to have a happy and productive life. They will equip parents with the skills to engage students at home.

I have created this wiki simply to share material and ideas that can help schools and parents to prepare for this future. I want to share ideas, evidence and research. I want to publicise schools and parents that get this right. I want to talk to like-minded people.

Please get in touch, and take part, if you share with me an interest in helping to turn schools inside out.

Ralph Tabberer