This study employed an explanatory sequential design and mixed methods to investigate school principals' perspectives on parent-teacher associations (PTAs). The research involved a large sample of 3,606 school principals or senior managers who participated in a survey and a smaller subsample of 6 principals who engaged in a focus group interview…

The reduction of funding allocation for school operations occurs in the education administration yearly. It is a notable fact that schools around the world are facing challenges in school funding as it affects the school's operation. As a result, the performance of school for the long term would not be a primary concern in the future. Schools in…

Who benefits from parent-teacher organizations in schools? Which parents are included, and which are excluded? How can school leaders work with them? In this article, an historian and a sociologist review the complex history of parent-teacher organizing and examine current issues in parental efforts to improve schools, including concerns about…

Stakeholder engagement is central to California's vision for how the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), with its Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), can improve outcomes for K-12 students. On February 1, 2019, PACE's annual conference, Putting Evidence Into Action to Advance Equity in California, brought together policymakers, educators,…

With the introduction of the new science curriculum in September 2014 in England, there is an even greater need to teach science that is real and relevant to the children. Bringing in support from external sources can give children hands-on science experiences with meaningful outcomes that will improve and enhance their learning. A wide-reaching…

When asked to explain why so many urban schools show unsatisfactory results on academic or social measures, principals routinely and quickly turn to descriptions of parents. In other words, when seeking to explain why work within a school is so difficult or why reform initiatives have been unsuccessful, many principals point outside the school.…

In July, 1979, the March of Dimes and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development cosponsored an institute on adolescent pregnancy for educators, health professionals, and the PTA. This article, describing some educational efforts in Pennsylvania, is reprinted from a conference report appearing in the "ASCD News Exchange" of…

Third in a series of Project REACH (Regular Education for All Children with Handicaps) documents is a manual intended for parents of severely disabled students. The manual is centered on ways parents can work together to mobilize community support groups. Formation of a parent support group, the role of the parent facilitator, and ways to acquire…

Parent-teacher associations can take advantage of resources offered by many other organizations to develop interesting and educational programs. A listing of several national and local groups to contact for information is given. (DF)

Data from a study of 113 elementary school principals in the Chicago metropolitan area support the proposition that non-socioeconomic characteristics of the parental community (assertiveness, responsiveness, homogeneity, and eagerness to participate) account for variations in principals' perceptions of parents. Makes recommendations for effective…

Considers the relationship between parents and the public schools and objectively enumerates parents' legal and social rights and responsibilities, concluding that parents have the opportunity to be significant change agents in the lives of children and schools. (NKA)

A comparison of two networks of citizens and parents leads to the conclusion that an effective citizen network in education should have a formal organization, structured leadership, specific goals, and a diverse and active membership. The rise of such groups is attributed to people's feelings that schools are failing to educate. These networks of…

Parents' interest and potential support should be encouraged by preparing teachers to work in intelligent partnership with parents. (JD)

This study compares parent participation in a suburban New York school district with parent participation in five Chicago city schools. Section one provides an overview of the study, which was based on an examination of external innovations (such as laws, court orders, and new programs) that created new bases for parents to become involved in…

Parent involvement efforts distinguish the Holyoke Public Schools of Holyoke, Massachusetts. No other school system in the region offers as many varied opportunities for parents to have an impact on their children's school experience. The Parent Involvement Policy was developed with the help of a 15-member task force of parents in the summer of…