Community and Parent Involvement: A Road to School Improvement.

This paper presents an analysis of community and parental involvement in education. Sample programs and activities have been selected from the schools recognized as excellent by the Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement School Recognition Program. Numerous brief case studies highlight interesting and creative ways in which schools, parents, and community volunteers increased the quality of education in many schools across the nation. The introduction cites program summaries in parent and community participation. The next section addresses preparing parents and community for school improvement. This is followed by information on creating and managing school volunteer programs. Research from successful schools during the years 1986-90 is presented in the form of brief examples of parental and community involvement. The next section which outlines the partnership approach, is followed by a section on involvement in community services. A summary concludes the document. (Contains 19 references.) (RR)