Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Summer 1997

Volume

20

Issue

4

Publication Title

Community Education Journal

First Page

17

Last Page

20

Abstract

As part of a statewide evaluation of dropout prevention programs in Virginia, survey data were collected statewide from school district dropout prevention coordinators. Ninety-four of the 103 school divisions (91 %) receiving state funds for dropout prevention responded to the survey. In addition, school staff were interviewed as part of a case study of seven schools to identify approaches to improving parent and community involvement, and focus groups were conducted with community agency representatives and parents. The interview data were analyzed using Joyce Epstein's model (see Table I) which organizes practical actions and likely outcomes for five types of parent involvement (1989): Type 1 -Parenting; Type 2 -Communicating; Type 3 -Volunteering; Type 4- Learning at Home; and Type 5 -Representing Other Parents. Using this approach showed that most parent involvement activities were of Types 2 and 3, and then 5, and that more talk than action is given to Types 1 and 4, both among school professionals and among parents.

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