A Comparison of Themes Associated With Parents’ Views of Schools’ Involvement Efforts in Two States

Abstract

This article compares the results of two studies to determine parents’ views of schools’ involvement efforts in different states. A primary purpose of both studies was to determine the extent to which parents from different geographic regions, from different size school districts and with varying student populations, shared similar concerns about schools’ efforts to facilitate their involvement. In both studies, parents completed the approved Indicator 8 survey for that state, and participated in focus group interviews to explain why they responded to the survey as they did. The results suggested that in both studies, parents of students receiving special education services, including students with learning disabilities, shared similar concerns about schools’ efforts to involve them; however, some important differences were noted. The implications of these findings for the development of interventions designed to enhance schools’ efforts to facilitate parent involvement with students receiving special education services are discussed.