Stakeholders II: Parents, Students, and State and National Government

Abstract

The current body of knowledge to improve schools suggests that effective schools have a high degree of parent involvement in the school. Some communities appear to believe that having parent involvement in school may block school improvements meant to help all students. In each school studied, evidence suggested a lack of a common vision of a good school/classroom between parents and teachers, and among teachers. Teachers and parents seemed at odds as to what is good for student learning; therefore, teachers and parents remain in a “gut-wrenching” struggle to improve student learning (Lilyquist, 1995). The question is, “Does parent involvement in school impact student learning?” The information presented here suggests “yes.” However, teachers’ opinion of positive or negative effects depends on their vision of good classrooms.