Not Your Mother’s Parent-Teacher Association: Hybridity in Parent and Advocacy Organizations

• In Event: Roundtable Session 79
  In Roundtable Session: Promoting Family, School, and Community Partnerships

Abstract

The nature and mission of parent organizations have evolved over time reflecting shifts in home and school relationships (Cutler, 2000). Today the most common organizational models include parent teacher organizations, advocacy groups and a growing population of community based organizations (Shirley, 2009). An increasing number of groups have adopted hybrid strategies that combine elements of these models. Using qualitative case studies, this paper explores three such groups to better understand the rationale and circumstances that influence the development of organizational hybridity. The findings indicate that changes in the political environment and evolving desires of organization members influenced organizational adaptations. Implications include insights regarding the value of organizational adaptation among parent groups and its potential impact on education policy.

Authors

• Michael P. Evans, Miami University - Oxford

• Anne Rebecca Newman, University of California - Santa Cruz

• Sue Winton, York University