This study is aimed at the perceptions of parental involvement at a southern area high school. The purpose of this qualitative study guided by Epstein’s theory, is twofold: to explore parents’ views on the causes of low parental involvement at a high school in Mississippi. An additional purpose of this study is to gather parents’ suggestions on how to enhance parental involvement at the local research site. This qualitative case study approach involved 14 participants who interviewed with a researcher designed interview protocol. The key participants involved in the research were parents with children currently enrolled at the research site in grades 10-12. The study looked at whether the experiences and perceptions of low parental involvement existed in a southern area high school. The study further examined parental insights on how to improve parental involvement at the research site. The data collected for this qualitative case study was collected through the interview protocol as well as field notes and a reflective journal. The interview protocol consisted of 9 open ended and semi-structured questions. The researcher asked probing questions to prompt further thinking or reflection from the participants. The researcher analyzed data from the interview transcripts and the field notes. The results revealed that ineffective communication created a barrier for parental involvement. The results also revealed effective communication, building relationships, district wide events, extracurricular activities, and collaborative efforts were all suggestions to enhance parental involvement. Investigate how schools communicate with parents and whether current methods are effective or inclusive. This could include the frequency, language, and accessibility of communication: exploring the role of school communication strategies in engaging parents.
| Date of Award | Jan 1 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Deeb Paul Kitchen (Supervisor), David Weintraub (Advisor) & Kimberly Durham (Advisor) |
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