Rural Educator Perceptions of Parent Involvement in Public Schools

Abstract

Rural educators in three states were surveyed regarding their perceptions of parental involvement in their schools. Significant indicators impacting student success included the expectation of parents and their attitudes toward education. Two strategies used to incorporate varying cultures and languages into the school community were creating a welcoming and open climate for parents and using parents’ home languages to communicate key information. The greatest challenge to involvement in their children’s education was parents’ work schedules. Educators participating in this study rated their schools’ level of success in engaging parents as somewhat successful.

Keywords

• family-school-community partnerships
• redefining parental involvement
• parental involvement
• rural educators