From Parent Involvement to Parent Engagement: The Role of Education Organizing

• In Event: Roundtable Session 79
  In Roundtable Session: Parents, Families, and Academic Outcomes

Abstract

While schools, particularly ‘underperforming’ or ‘failing’ schools, are increasingly asked to focus on narrow definitions of academic achievement, there are efforts underway to link educational institutions to community development. This paper describes the development of parent organizing efforts at a local elementary school. This paper situates parent engagement as a fulcrum for a more extensive community organizing strategy for the school.

Authors

• Gerald K. Wood, Northern Arizona University

• Jason Lowry, Northern Arizona University