Social Position or School Participation? Understanding Centrality in a School-Based Parent Network

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 31
  In Roundtable Session: Family Matters: Parental Involvement in Education Networking and Decision Making

Abstract

Parents obtain advice, information, assistance, and emotional support through school-based social networks. Because networks vary by size and structure, individual network locations may be more or less advantageous, and access to resources may be uneven. What accounts for the central locations of certain parents and the marginal locations of others? To address this question, we analyze a network of parents at a public school. We find that school-based participation, rather than race or class-based social position, is associated with centrality. Involved parents know more parents, know more parents who are highly connected to other parents, and serve as bridges between parents who would otherwise be unconnected. Results may inform public policy and practice on family and community engagement in schools.

Authors

• Rand Quinn, University of Pennsylvania

• Amanda Barrett Cox, University of Pennsylvania

• Amy Steinbugler, Dickinson College