27 February 2007
New research is focusing on the impact of divorce and separation on parents, to identify issues for schools and parents in the involvement of non-residential parents in their children's schooling.
Professor Thea Brown and Ms Alison Lundgren, from Monash University's Department of Social Work, are looking for non-residential parents and school staff to participate in two separate online surveys.
Non-residential parents are those whose children do not live with them -- for the majority of the time -- following parental separation and divorce.
The research aims to improve understanding about the complex nature of the interaction between schools and these parents.
"We know little about the involvement of non-residential parents in schools and this knowledge gap leaves parents and schools with little guidance," Professor Brown said.
"Research suggests children benefit greatly from having both parents involved in their education, yet many non-residential parents feel excluded from this area of their child's life.
"With a clearer picture of the difficulties experienced by schools and non-residential parents in the areas of reporting, receiving notices, parent-teacher interviews, volunteering, activities and general involvement in the life of the school, schools will be better able to assist this group of students and parents."
The researchers are interested in hearing from non-residential parents with school-aged children, teachers, school counsellors, school psychologists or principals who would like to participate in the surveys.
Non-residential parents with a school aged child or children who are interested in finding out more about the project can visit the survey website.
Teachers, school counsellors, school psychologists and principals who would like to find out more about the survey of school staff can also visit the survey website.
The surveys are anonymous.
Professor Thea Brown can be contacted by email at thea.brown@med.monash.edu.au. For Media enquiries please contact John Watts on +61 3 9905 9201 or 0448 574 148.
| 
