Community Participation: Present and Future Patterns

Abstract

Community participation in the public schools has been a commonly accepted tenet in American education. In recent decades, social events have increased the attention given to community participation. Too often community participation has been projected as a generalized notion; however, in this paper the various forms of participation which have surfaced are delineated. These patterns are viewed from a client-centered to consumer-centered continuum.

The various forms of participation include public relations, instructional support, community service, crisis resolution, accountability and school governance, and litigation. Such expressions of participation are given past, present, and future status; the degree of controversy engendered by each will be considered as well.