Private Versus Public Sector Views on Parent Involvement: A Case Study Within the Bahamas

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: Narrowing the Attainment Gap

Abstract

A community-wide study on parent involvement in schools was conducted in Summer 2018 within Grand Bahama to support the Bahamian Ministry of Education’s efforts to promote involvement. This study reports on survey data from that study (n=370 parents, n = 95 teachers) and compares parent and teacher responses from the government and private school sectors. Findings show differences in perceptions pertaining to whether parents value education, barriers parents face to being involved, and effective ways to make school more parent-friendly. These differences depended on the school sector (government or private) the participant was involved with. Findings are discussed in terms of social norms, expectations, and what might be important to communicate to the general public regarding parent involvement.

Authors

• Anica G. Bowe, Oakland University

• Chenson Johnson, Oakland University