In this text, we reflect on the dilemmas and perspectives of the relationship between family and school. The study subjects were parents and education professionals involved in the activities of a Forum for Families with Special Needs held at a public school in the Municipality of Vitória, ES. The investigation was based on collaborative critical action research, and figurational sociology premises as developed by Norbert Elias. From our reflections, we highlight that, in interrelations of family members and education professionals, there may be shocks that provide both sides with more positive expectations concerning the education of these students. These "new" beliefs have since then mobilized people, causing "regrouping", closeness and estrangement. In other words, they have traced other relations that were not solely based on educational background or professional occupation, on gender questions, or even on the economic situation of the people involved. On the other hand, they moved the balance of power of the family-school relation. We observed that, little by little, throughout the history of the Forum for Families with Special Needs, education professionals' beliefs concerning school inclusion and parents' expectations about their children's education led to producing other power referents which then began to explain the feeling of belonging and empowerment, and also those of inclusion, education, learning and deficiency.
family-school relationship; disability; inclusion; Figurational Sociology; balance of power
