Date Approved

7-1-2004

Embargo Period

4-26-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. in Teaching

Department

Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education

College

College of Education

Advisor

Madden, Marjorie

Subject(s)

Education, Elementary--Parent participation--New Jersey; Academic achievement

Disciplines

Elementary Education and Teaching

Abstract

This qualitative study focuses on parental involvement in schools, in particular, the over involvement of some parents. Major themes covered include parent-teacher communication, appropriate involvement in and out of the classroom, and parental interference. Research was conducted by surveying two hundred fifty parents and sixty teachers in one elementary school in conjunction with follow-up interviews and the researcher's field notes. The response rates were low and respondents may share many characteristics, skewing the results. Questions on the surveys were categorized into themes to look for trends. The results find that some parents do interfere with the educational process and children of these parents tend to suffer negative consequences. The data also shows that parents are interested in participating in the classroom. Recommendations for further research are presented.

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