Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the practicesof school community partnership in primary
schools of Ilu Aba Bor zone. Quantitative method with descriptive survey design was
employed.About 10 primary schools, 162 teachers, 10 principals, 10 basic teacher association
head, and 10 PTA head were involved.The instruments of data collection werequestionnaires and
semi structured interview. Quantitative data were analyzed by frequency, percentages, mean,
standard deviation and t test while qualitative data were analyzed textually. It was revealed that the
status of school community partnership was weak in parenting (M = 2.72, SD = 0.93),
volunteerism(M = 2.6,SD = 0.42), communicating(M = 2.84,SD = 0.76), learning at home(M=
2.81,0.7) and decision making(2.88,SD = 0.75) while moderate level of partnership in
collaborating beyond the school(M =3.14); school leaders are not effective in playing their role to
establish strong school home partnership( M = 2.77,0.7);weakness in planning, low level of
community income, distance of home from school, low level of literate community, and low level of
school income, teachers’ low level of willingness, low level of interest from community, lack of high
expectation from school management were among the major factor has affected school home
partnership.It was conclude that weak level of school community partnership lead to lack of shared
responsibilities which diminish students learning and academic achievement.It was recommended
that school leaders are advisedprepare joint long and short term plan, establish communityteacher
association committee to class room level, recognizepartners with best performance.
Woreda and zone education office are recommended to provide critical professional support and
training in collaboration with teachers training college.WithKey Terms:Partnership,
Parenting,Communicating,Volunteering,Learning at home,Decisionmaking,collaborating withthe
community.
