Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine to what degree California middle schools align their parent involvement practices in accordance with recommended research-based parent involvement principles from the Department of Education's California Strategic Plan for Parent Involvement in Education. Using descriptive research, the researcher sent questionnaires to a population of California middle school principals to collect data to answer three research questions. A total of 255 principals responded to the survey which resulted in a 64 percent return rate. This study found that middle schools provided programs and activities promoting parent involvement opportunities in all of the six types of parent involvement recommended by the Department of Education. Most middle schools provided programs and activities that promoted clear, two-way communication between the school and the family to a higher degree than other types of parent involvement programs. Over half of the principals reported receiving little or no parent involvement training from credential programs, county offices, the Department of Education, or professional association sources. Over three-fourths of principals stated they had not had the California Strategic Plan for Parent Involvement in Education presented, reviewed, or discussed with them. Over half of the principals indicated receiving their parent involvement training at their school site or district office. Principals with 2-5 years and 11-15 years middle school experience had a significantly higher degree of promoting communication between the school and the family than principals with 6-10 years of experience. Principals with 11-15 years experience supported parents as decision makers more often. There was a significant difference with large schools promoting parent involvement more than medium-sized schools in the areas of helping parents develop parenting skills, providing techniques to assist children at home, providing access and coordinating community and support for families, and supporting parents as decision makers. Although middle school principals in California provide many traditional parent involvement programs and activities as recommended by the California Strategic Plan for Parent Involvement in Education, most are unaware of their obligations to align their programs under the Department of Education's plan.