Challenges of Family-School Communication at Zibo Zhangdian District No. 5 Middle School, Zibo City, China

This study aimed to explore the challenges of family-school communication at Zibo Zhangdian District No. 5 Middle School in Zibo City, China. Using a descriptive qualitative method, the research sought to identify the barriers to effective communication between parents and teachers. The study specifically aimed to describe the challenges faced by parents in communicating with teachers, the difficulties teachers encounter when interacting with parents, and to propose an intervention plan to improve these communication practices. The analysis revealed that a significant barrier is the perceived lack of teacher responsiveness, contributing to feelings of disempowerment among parents. Additionally, the lack of timely and detailed communication highlighted the need to bridge communication gaps and offer more opportunities for open dialogue. Misalignment between digital communication preferences and parents’ ability to navigate these tools further exacerbated the issue. The study also found that communication challenges were influenced by socio-cultural norms and expectations, making clear, timely, and reciprocal communication vital for student success. The findings emphasized the need for a balanced, inclusive, and strategic approach to family-school communication, where both teachers and parents share responsibility in addressing students’ needs.