However, the norm in the United States, at least, seems to be to keep parents somewhat at a distance in the educational process. It’s not the same around the world. In Israel, for instance, democratic schools there generally include parents as part of the decision-making processes of the school, with an equal voice and vote to students and teachers.

And at the education policy level, parents are often just as disenfranchised as students and the general community. In NYC, for example, mayoral control of the schools places full authority in the hands of the mayor without any meaningful involvement or checks & balances from students, parents, teachers, or the general public.

Do you know of examples and ways to involve parents and others in schools and education? I’d love to learn more. Thanks for commenting.

Dana

I’ve been quite surprised to see how few skills are used to include parents meaningfully at most secondary schools — when to do so benefits both school and students.

What do you do and suggest to encourage the skillful facilitation of parents in secondary schools?