Educational Support to Promote Intergenerational Relations at The Intergenerational School in Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe staff support and facilitation of intergenerational relationships among people in The Intergenerational School, OHIO, USA. Spradley’s ethnographic approach was applied, and participant observation and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data was analyzed qualitatively. It was discovered that TIS was operating many programs in cooperation with members of the community. Three key categories were defined: an educational philosophy supporting a multi-generational learning environment, community based, multi-generational cooperation, creation of programs of mutual benefit to school and community. Each of the three core categories had three kinds of support; support from within TIS, support from the community, and support in connecting TIS and the community.