Places questions about parent involvement in the following four categories: (1) coproduction or partnership, (2) decision making, (3) citizen advocacy, and (4) parent choice. Discusses these categories, identifies examples or models, and offers recommendations for action by parents, policymakers, and practitioners. (LHW)

Major findings of a three-year National Institute of Education study of citizen participation in education are the large extent and frequent ambiguity of the intervention of government agencies to increase citizen involvement in schools, and the continuing domination of educational decision-making by professionals. (Author/MLF)

This paper describes and justifies The Schools Reaching Out Project on the basis of research proving that urban families and communities that build stronger connections to the schools are linked to healthy child development, the academic and social success of children in school, better teaching, cost savings and improved educational services and…

Presents lessons for family-school-community cooperation drawn from the work of schools in the League of Schools Reaching Out and from policy analyses by the Institute for Responsive Education. The most important policies are those that provide flexibility and respect diversity while evaluating and changing as they operate. (SLD)

Examines ways to increase the effectiveness of partnerships between schools, families, and communities. Recommends using smarter communication, making the school more welcoming to families and communities, reaching out to reluctant families, enlisting parents and community agencies to help educate children, and helping families obtain support for…

Offers seven recommendations (with comments) for action involving school partnerships with families and communities: Involve and support teachers and principals, adopt democratic principles, reach out to parents, encourage parent activism, provide parents with opportunities for choice and voice, encourage and support increased family…

This policy document, directed to school board members, superintendents, and principals, makes recommendations on developing school partnerships with families and communities; discusses the benefits of school partnerships for children, families, schools, teachers, and community agencies; and identifies basic principles underlying successful…

This progress report of a multi-site project involving eight elementary and middle schools examines the effects of the schools' family involvement program on children's learning; parent and teacher attitudes; school climate; and district, state, and federal policy. The report also examines the ways in which selected policies aid or obstruct school…

Reflecting the renewed interest in a variety of plans to increase parent and citizen participation in education, this paper divides the questions surrounding this issue into the following four categories: co-production (partnership), decision making, citizen advocacy, and parent choice. Under each of these categories the paper considers such…