The development of Federal requirements for parent involvement, via Title I, in cooperative education and policy making roles is reviewed chronologically. Variations in the implementation of plans to involve parents are examined for 15 local school districts in 14 states. The survey instrument and the sampling technique utilized for exploring parental involvement in decision making processes in these schools are outlined. The administration of the instrument is described. Specifically examined were the levels at which parents were perceived (by themselves and by school administrators) to participate in educational decision making. In addition, an attempt was made to determine the degree of congruence between levels at which parents "should be" involved and levels at which they"are presently" involved. (Author/GC)