Policy and Research Issues: Parental and Community Involvement/Social Capital

Policy Questions:

1. What are the correlates of active parental involvement in their children's schooling?

• How do parental roles differ by family type?
• How are school policies and environment related to parental involvement?
• Does family structure relate to student achievement?

2. How much choice with respect to their children's schools exists for parents?

• Are there varying levels of parental choice in education, depending on personal and family characteristics?

3. What are different levels/patterns of social capital available to students?

• How much autonomy do students have?
• What are the patterns of parental networks and interactions?
• What are the patterns of parents' social responsibility for other children?