Family Partnerships with High Schools: The Parents' Perspective. Report No. 32

摘要

This study analyzes survey data from 423 parents at six high schools in Maryland two rural, two urban, and two suburban. Multiple regression analysis was used to explore the effects of the high schools programs of partnership on parental attitudes and reports of involvement in their teens learning at home and school. The findings show that parental attitudes toward school are positively influenced by schools programs of partnership. Further, the study suggests that different types of school practices result in different parental involvement behaviors. Specifically, parental reports of involvement at home are positively and significantly influenced by school practices that assist parenting and facilitate interactions with teens on learning activities at home. Similarly, parental reports of involvement at school are most strongly influenced by school practices that encourage volunteering and participation in school decision making. School communications are positively and significantly correlated with all other school practices to involve families. The results remain constant when controlling on family and student background characteristics such as race, gender, and academic performance, and on parental employment and educational background. The authors conclude that high schools that develop strong programs of partnership that include practices for different types of involvement are likely to improve parental attitudes toward the school and encourage greater family involvement at school and at home.