Toward Democracy: School Leadership Practices That Support the Participation of Low-Income Families in School Decision Making

• In Event: 26.019 - Toward Justice: Affirming Diverse Families and Communities Through Inclusive School Leadership

Abstract

While many researchers have documented the value of parent involvement, much less has been written about the importance of engaging parents in school decision-making. Diverse and inclusive participation in decision-making contributes new ideas that enhance problem solving for school improvement and promotes the community’s sense of ownership over school programs. However, there is a great deal of variability in whether and how school leaders promote parental participation in decision-making and there is some evidence to suggest that robust parental participation in decision-making is least likely to happen in high-poverty schools. Using data from interviews with 18 elementary school principals in high poverty schools in California, as well as survey data from a larger subset of California elementary school principals, this study examines the characteristics of school leaders who engage large numbers of parents in traditional forms of school involvement as well as in school decision-making. We then assess the beliefs of school leaders who involve large numbers of parents generally and/or who involve large numbers of parents in decision-making. We consider school leaders’ views about a) the goals of parent involvement, and b) the roles of parents in school decision-making. Findings from this study have implications for educational practice and school leadership programs, particularly for those leaders preparing to work in schools and districts serving low-income families.

Authors

• Rhoda Freelon, Spencer Foundation

• John S. Rogers, University of California - Los Angeles