(Opinion/Position Papers, Essays, etc.) (120)

This paper examines parental involvement in schools and schooling. "Parents " in this case are interpreted broadly to include extended families and the variety of child caretakers. Building on existing literature, it offers some expanded conceptual frameworks with a view to enhancing subsequent intervention research, practice, and policy making. The first section, on society's agenda for involving the home, gives a rationale on intentional intervention. Explained are the respective agendas for involving the home--socialization, economic, political, and helping agendas. The second section focuses on the forms of involvement in schools. Reviewed are existing categorizations found in the literature. A continuum model differentiates types of involvement in terms of a system or individual function or both. The third section concerns the nature of barriers to involvement; institutional and impersonal barriers are addressed. The final section discusses general intervention concerns, steps, and strategies relating to enhancing involvement. The four major intervention steps to be planned, complemented, and evaluated are discussed: (1) organizing the institution for involvement; (2) inviting involvement; (3) facilitating involvement; and (4) maintaining involvement. (Contains 65 references.) (RR) *i A.A.************** * ; ***************A A** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document