Are parents willing and able to take professional advice from teachers and support staff regarding their child's learning and engagement?

An article in Foreign Affairs magazine from 2017 looks at the loss of faith in expertise in the USA. Although it is specifically about the USA and politics, the article does muse about how other professions are struggling to hold their ground as the lack of trust in professionals rises. We recommend reading How America Lost Faith in Expertise: And what that's a giant problem by Tom Nichols in the March/April 2017 edition.

Click here to access the article.

Some reflection questions to consider whilst reading the article:

• How has a lack of faith in expertise manifested itself in my experience?
  • What interactions with parents, other professionals and the public have I experienced that demonstrate this?
• Was there an opportunity to address the lack of faith in expertise by me, by my executive or by the school/system?
  • What would have looked like in practice?
• How can the Union work to strengthen community respect of the professionalism of its members?

We recommend that reading this article would contribute to considerations of 7.3.2 - Establish and maintain respectful collaborative relationships with parents/carers regarding their children's learning and wellbeing.