The School Community: Its Effects on Principals' Perceptions of Parent

Abstract

While most researchers study the principal-parent relationship from a political perspective, the purpose of this article is to investigate, from an organizational theory point of view, the effects of characteristics of the parental community, other than socioeconomic status, on principals'perceptions of parents. The main hypothesis of this research is that characteristics of the community which influence principals' uncertainty will affect their opinions about parents. Specific characteristics studied are community assertiveness, responsiveness, homogeneity, and eagerness to participate and their effects on principals' engagement and sentiments toward parents.