Chapter 7: Parent, Guardian, Citizen Involvement

The traditional way of viewing adult involvement in the school limits the perspective only to parents of the school’s students. This viewpoint must be adjusted if public schools are going to survive in a graying society. Educators need to draw parents and non-parents into the school. The groups are more apt to become supporters of the local schools if they are active participants.

Approximately 75 percent of the adults in this country have no children in school. For many in this group schools have lost their centrality and essential connection. Consequently, it is paramount that educators provide for these individuals tangible demonstrations of how their tax dollars for schools contribute ultimately to the community. Unless educators do so, it will become increasingly difficult to maintain sound financial and confidence bases for schools because many non-parents are making important financial decisions that affect schools.