Date of Award
1-1-1992
Document Type
Dissertation - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Child and Youth Care Administration
Advisor
Joan Mignerey
Keywords
General, Parenting, Community, Elementary, Kindergarten, Primary, Parent Involvement, Reorganization, School-Community Relations, Administrators, Community, Community Members, Principals
Abstract
This report describes a program for improving school community relations through a comprehensive parent- Involvement effort In an elementary school. Issues requiring attention, such as concerns for the school's image, lack of parent-involvement, and lack of parent satisfaction were noted In Individual Interviews with administrators, teachers, classified employees, and parents. These Issues were substantiated by the data gathered on PTA membership, the parent-volunteer program, and low parent attendance at special school functions. Research findings supported an Intervention strategy that involved five major types of parent-involvement described as: (1) Basic Obligations of Parents; (2) Basic Obligations of the School; (3) Parent-Involvement at School; (4) Parent- Involvement In Leaning Activities at Home; and (5) Parent- Involvement in Governance and Advocacy (Epstein, 1987). As a result of practicum intervention, there was a 70% increase in the PTA membership, the number of parents attending special school events was averaging 50%, and the number of parents participating in the Parent-Volunteer Program increased from 12 parents to ISO parents. Responses from individual interviews with administrators, teachers, classified employees, and parents indicated that school community relations were no longer a problem.