Making the difference – involving parents better in schools

Question 2

Do you agree that education authorities should be required to prepare new Strategies for Parental Involvement (SPIs) ?

"1”, “Yes”

"2”, “Yes”

"3”, “No - again these procedures are already in place"

"4”, “Seems ok if they consult parents and staff etc"

"5”, “Yes”

"6”, “Yes”

"7”, “Yes”

"8”, “Yes”

"9”, “Yes”

"10”, “No”

"11”, “No - for the reasons given above."

"12”, “"

"13”, “No - not unless they are more inclusive than 'only one parent'"

"14”, “Yes, we agree to education authorities preparing strategies"

"15”, “No”

"16”, “Yes”

"17”, “No”

"18”, “No need for new strategies"

"19”, “Yes - depends on what the strategies are"

"20”, “Yes - education authorities schools and School Boards should be working together to promote parental involvement"

"21”, “No - strategies should be introduced by Scottish Executive otherwise education authorities could vary too much"

"22”, “It may be beneficial if approached appropriately - see above"

"23”, “Yes we do agree - a contract agreeing child/parent/school behaviour etc"

"24”, “"

"25”, “What we have already works so no strategies change"

"26”, “No there are sufficient avenues for PI at present"

"27”, “No”

"28”, “N/A"

"29”, “Yes - formerly Development Plan and Standards and Quality reports and information"

"30”, “No problem with this as long as School Boards retained"

"31”, “"

"32”, “There is no need to alter the School Board system as it stands.  This proposed draft bill is ill advised, politically driven and unasked for at School/ Public level"

"33”, “Clearly authorities should review strategies from time to time."

"34”, “I do not agree that education authorities should be required to prepare new strategies for parental involvement"

"35”, “No”

"36”, “Yes”

"37”, “Yes”

"38”, “Yes”

"39”, “"

"40”, “Yes”

"41”, “Retain the Boards and save themselves the trouble of preparing new strategies"

"42”, “No - they should support School Boards more effectively in the context of the 1988 Act"

"43”, “Yes”

"44”, “No need for change"

"45”, “Yes but these will need to incorporate guidelines for parent forums"

"46”, “To a great extent the facility for parental involvement already exists - onus will still remain on parents to take advantage of it."

"47”, “Not really - open to dumbing down of parental involvement"

"48”, “Yes”

"49”, “"

"50”, “"

"51”, “Council try very hard already but many parents not taking up opportunities.  perhaps need to look at how they ask for involvement (focus groups)"

"52”, “Yes - strategies to promote more parental involvement would be welcome"

"53”, “this is ongoing and should just continue"

"54”, “"

"55”, “Yes”

"56”, “No”

"57”, “No they have more important things to do with their scant time"

"58”, “Yes”

"59”, “Yes”

"60”, “No”

"61”, “Our local authority does have strategies for parental involvement and would recommend that this be uniform across the rest of Scotland."

"62”, “"

"63”, “Guidelines should be supplied by SEED for local adaptation"

"64”, “Current system works well - change is unnecessary"

"65”, “"

"66”, “"

"67”, “This requirement may be a valuable means of ensuring that all authorities address the issue of parental involvement at a strategic level.  However, there needs to be some consistent definition of what the respective duties and responsibilities of the authorities, school staff (esp. the Head Teacher) and parents will be under any new legislation"

"68”, “No - unnecessary"

"69”, “The great majority of the board felt there was little or no need to add further strategies as the present system was working."

"70”, “A majority of Board members felt that if the Bill was passed it would be essential to involve parents before preparing SPIs"

"71”, “"

"72”, “"

"73”, “"

"74”, “Yes”

"75”, “No”

"76”, “Yes”

"77”, “Yes”

"78”, “Yes although we understand that these procedures are currently in place"

"79”, “(Our) School Board would like to see guidelines produced from the Scottish Executive that can be adapted to suit local needs, rather than 32 different attempts to re-invent the wheel"

"80”, “No.  We are overburdened by strategies already and their preparation only serves to take resources away from teaching."

"81”, “No because it is my belief that parents will not want to join as under the proposals they will have no real powers."

"82”, “It is felt better to revisit and evaluate existing strategies and look at best practice with a view to making improvements where necessary"

"83”, “"

"84”, “Can be done under existing legislation"

"85”, “Yes - there is little point in giving them a statutory duty to promote parental involvement without them being required to develop a strategy.  The strategy should have aims and objectives and an appropriate set of targets and milestones against which the strategy can be effectively monitored and subsequently evaluated."

"86”, “Yes”

"87”, “"

"88”, “The education authorities should establish a statutory framework for the local authority to work within and provide robust structure and guidance for full parent consultation."

"89”, “"

"90”, “"

"91”, “This sounds unduly regimented.  We support GUIDELINES and encouragement."

"92”, “We, as a school board, representing the views of parents whose children attend (our) school, are unanimously rejecting the new proposal, and are against abolishment of the Scottish School Board 1988 Act."

"93”, “Authorities to put forward a range of strategies to be looked at nationally, prior to selection of the optimum strategies."

"94”, “As long as strategy involves effective parental involvement.  Since this implies that present involvement is unsatisfactory, which we do not agree with."

"95”, “No”

"96”, “"

"97”, “Depends on their current strategies - no guarantee that parental involvement would follow whatever strategy was in place."

"98”, “Yes”

"99”, “We are satisfied with current School Board arrangements for parental involvement."

"100”, “Yes”

"101”, “Yes”

"102”, “We would like the authority to retain The School Board (Scotland) Act 1988, however we would agree that if new strategies would enhance the parental involvement in a school these should be taken on board."

"103”, “No.  As mentioned in response to question 1, I view (our Region) as operating a positive strategy that has produced successes to date."

"104”, “Yes, but no sense of what a SPI under the new Bill would look like.  Should be a system in place whatever representative body for parents exists."

"105”, “Yes”

"106”, “Yes”

"107”, “No”

"108”, “Yes."

"109”, “Yes”

"110”, “Yes, but as an adjustment of the existing legislation"

"111”, “Blank"

"112”, “"

"113”, “Yes”

"114”, “Yes”

"115”, “Yes, because there would then be proper prescribed ways forward for parents / schools to follow."

"116”, “Only if current arrangements aren't working."

"117”, “Yes”

"118”, “No”

"119”, “No.  The parents should (have) a say in the management of the school system."

"120”, “No”

"121”, “The focus and concentration of effort and resource of the education authorities should be placed firmly on improving education, not on ensuring parental involvement."

"122”, “No strategies that are in place are sufficient."

"123”, “Yes”

"124”, “No”

"125”, “Yes”

"126”, “This appears to be yet another administrative work load that falls on head teachers when strategies if they are to be prepared should be for the benefit of the pupils.  It is perhaps a fine dream that parents be heavily involved, but the truth is that parents want to be kept informed and to have representation when required - i.e. - the school board."

"127”, “No”

"128”, “No”

"129”, “Depends on what the Local Authority offers but generally yes.  We feel that there should be more relevant number of parent members required rather than the proposed minimum of one."

"130”, “In our experience the adequate constructed strategies already exist to achieve this end."

"131”, “Yes”

"132”, “Blank"

"133”, “Constitution on this should be discussed before I could agree."

"134”, “Yes”

"135”, “Building on the above education authorities should try new avenues for increasing Parental Involvement."

"136”, “Blank"

"137”, “Yes”

"138”, “Yes”

"139”, “No”

"140”, “Yes”

"141”, “Yes”

"142”, “Existing strategy for parental involvement is OK."

"143”, “Only to encourage more parent members on to existing School Boards."

"144”, “No - duty should remain with the school board plus head teacher."

"145”, “"

"146”, “"

"147”, “Yes, but by revamping exiting legislation."

"148”, “No”

"149”, “No”

"150”, “Yes”

"151”, “Yes”

"152”, “Yes - within the framework of 'tweaking' the existing School Board (Scotland) Act 1988."

"153”, “No”

"154”, “I disagree this should be a joint decision."

"155”, “Blank"

"156”, “Yes”

"157”, “Yes”

"158”, “Yes, I agree"

"159”, “"

"160”, “No.  The existing system is fine."

"161”, “Yes”

"162”, “Yes”

"163”, “Yes”

"164”, “Not enough information has been provided to us to comment on 'Strategies for Parental Involvement' here.  No evidence has been provided to back up the introduction of SPIs."

"165”, “Not willing to answer 'loaded' questions about something unnecessary."

"166”, “"

"167”, “Yes although strategies should be developed within nationally agreed guidelines."

"168”, “The existing structure works well for us."

"169”, “SPIs must form part of the EA's annual statement"

"170”, “The Education Authority already encourages ample opportunity for parental involvement"

"171”, “Adaptation of existing framework with review and modernisation of some functions"

"172”, “It is our understanding that there are already strategies in place."

"173”, “Yes -but these strategies must have adequate commitment from management to enable them to work.  School Boards presently have adequate strategies in place.  It is management attitudes that require considerable re-adjustment."

"174”, “Parents already should have ability to find out about child's education and be involved in what goes on in schools."

"175”, “With their other duties it could end up being lip service only - parental involvement comes better via School Boards - it could well become low priority in relation to other strategies."

"176”, “Probably, but it would be very difficult to motivate parents - In theory yes - in practice it would probably only work in schools where there is a predominance of 'middle class' parents."

"177”, “No - No need for further bureaucracy."

"178”, “Yes but as well as parents and third parties the schools themselves should be consulted."

"179”, “Within the current School Board structure only."

"180”, “Yes but as part of, and to complement existing legislation, not new legislation."

"181”, “"

"182”, “A few adjustments are required but not the radical change which has been proposed."

"183”, “Yes - as this will ensure that encouraging parental involvement will be seen as a priority for education authorities and hopefully more positive action will happen as a result."

"184”, “No”

"185”, “"

"186”, “Yes”

"187”, “They should be required to continually monitor and assess their existing strengths and modify them if they feel it is required."

"188”, “Each school have their own personalities and needs - Perhaps school / school boards would do this."

"189”, “Yes, to continually update and upgrade is necessary, but not to the detriment of the children, or just for change sake."

"190”, “Yes”

"191”, “"

"192”, “No - only if SBA is repealed which is should not be."

"193”, “Yes - we feel our EA is already very supportive.  We are not convinced that parental involvement will improve as a result of the proposed changes"

"194”, “No”

"195”, “Yes if the schools feel it necessary.  Guidelines as to what exactly the education authorities require would be helpful."

"196”, “Parental commentary will be required and broad consultation required."

"197”, “No”

"198”, “Yes it's important to re-examine strategies on a regular basis as long as new strategies are workable and responsible.  Should look at what's in place and build upon these."

"199”, “The present system of School Board/PTA works well, but should the Act become a fact then duty on education authorities to promote parental involvement is acceptable."

"200”, “Yes”

"201”, “No we don't agree with the new draft bill"

"202”, “Yes - quickly"

"203”, “Yes in conjunction with individual School Boards as needs may differ on an authority basis or even at separate school level."

"204”, “Yes”

"205”, “Yes”

"206”, “Yes”

"207”, “Blank"

"208”, “Yes”

"209”, “No.  I think Parental Involvement at the present time is adequate.
Most parents seem to feel that Education Matters should be left to the experts, as long as they have representatives i.e. school board."

"210”, “No see Q3 ( School Development Plan SHOULD be focussed on teaching & learning.
Additional objectives should be covered by the Annual Statements. ) "

"211”, “Yes, but Education Authority should meet with parents to explain to them how they should or could be involved."

"212”, “Yes”

"213”, “No.  Parents should be kept informed and invited to be involved but strategies are not necessary."

"214”, “No”

"215”, “Yes, as long as it encourages more parents to be involved."

"216”, “No”

"217”, “Blank"

"218”, “Yes”

"219”, “Blank"

"220”, “No”

"221”, “As long as this is in collaboration with schools and parents."

"222”, “Yes, new initiative in addition to current format, not instead of."

"223”, “No.  We believe that education authorities should direct their efforts into improving the implementation and effectiveness of the present arrangements rather than losing impetus by changing tack."

"224”, “"

"225”, “Yes”

"226”, “No”

"227”, “No”

"228”, “No”

"229”, “No”

"230”, “Blank"

"231”, “Blank"

"232”, “"

"233”, “Yes”

"234”, “Yes.  This is essential."

"235”, “We think this should be done on a local basis meeting the needs of each individual school."

"236”, “No”

"237”, “"

"238”, “It is unclear how educational authorities could carry out wide ranging consultation exercise required before  SPIs are set out."

"239”, “I do within a framework set out by the Scottish Executive."

"240”, “As above ( No - as do not agree the Bill should be implemented. )"

"241”, “Only to ensure parents are aware of procedures.  To summarise - No.  Parents can become involved in  S.Boards if they wish to do so."

"242”, “Yes.  Taking the lead in strategies through schools."

"243”, “Agreed to new additional strategies but without taking away from existing format."

"244”, “Yes, but only if these are flexible enough to address the needs of individual schools.
A framework should be provided centrally."

"245”, “We feel the duty of practical parental involvement should remain between the local school management and staff and the parent organisations.  The local needs are most readily identified at this level."

"246”, “"

"247”, “"

"248”, “Yes we agree.  We would need new strategies for guidance for parents."

"249”, “Yes but are these not merely a different name for existing 'targets/objectives'?"

"250”, “Yes”

"251”, “Yes.  This is already in place under the current School Board Act.  It would be of benefit to all if spending time and money actually speaking to parents were involved."

"252”, “"

"253”, “"

"254”, “We think they should be reviewed"

"255”, “Yes”

"256”, “Yes where there is full consultation with school staff and parents.  An authority should not impose where effective parent bodies operating.  This should be on the basis of flexible approaches."

"257”, “Providing they are positive, practical and worthwhile"

"258”, “No - only if you are prepared to listen to parents.  It seems decisions go ahead even if parents are unwilling - e.g. new RC school in our area - few people are in favour but it looks likely to go ahead anyway."

"259”, “No”

"260”, “Agreed.  Consultation should go out to all parents with open questions."

"261”, “Yes although in our school parents are already involved in a number of ways - this can always benefit from positive encouragement"

"262”, “Yes but again how will it be checked."

"263”, “Agreed - with input from Boards/PTAs"

"264”, “Yes”

"265”, “Yes but retain national guidance and consultation with individual schools."

"266”, “Shetland School Boards would like to see guidelines produced from the Scottish Executive that can be adapted to suit local needs"

"267”, “"

"268”, “"

"269”, “No”

"270”, “No”

"271”, “Gentle modernisation is needed to increase parental involvement only."

"272”, “No”

"273”, “Only in consultation with and through School Boards"

"274”, “No - complete waste of time."

"275”, “Again ideas are welcome, but in addition to the system we already have, rather than in its place."

"276”, “No - I feel the current system works and should be left well along.  There are so many other ways that money allocated to this should be spent."

"277”, “No”

"278”, “No - The existing legislation with some minor adjustments where improvements could be made is satisfactory."

"279”, “Yes - but only if the Authority does not actively support School Boards.  Where they do they should not be forced or hindered by new legislation."

"280”, “"

"281”, “"

"282”, “Yes”

"283”, “The education authorities should prepare policies relating to parental involvement however strategies should be developed in conjunction with the parents via whatever appropriate body exists within the school, School Board, PTA, Parent Forum."

"284”, “Minority (3) stated Yes, comments were: cannot this be done under the current system in place working alongside school boards, with executive guidance (an assumption change is necessary).
Minority (2) stated no - are stating head teachers should be trusted to do this informally."

"285”, “"

"286”, “NB It is the view of (our) school board that these questions are too prescriptive in nature and do not give an opportunity to address some fundamental matters raised by the proposed new bill as drafted.  Please see our response in the additional comments box."

"287”, “If school boards are run effectively by the authority, or with LEA encouragement and support, no new strategies would be necessary."

"288”, “Yes”

"289”, “"

"290”, “"

"291”, “We, as a school board, representing the views of parents whose children attend (our)Primary School, are unanimously rejecting the new proposal, and are against abolishment of the Scottish School Board 1988 Act."

"292”, “"

"293”, “"

"294”, “Yes, there should be a requirement but we do not wish the current legislation to be replaced."

"295”, “I do not see what is wrong with the existing School Board legislation.  As has been said before, the School Board Act perhaps needed ""tweaked"" to encourage more parental involvement but I still feel that the School Board could still be the vehicle used by the education authorities to lead a drive for this involvement."

"296”, “"

"297”, “Yes as long as they are effective.  Any Board or Forum needs to have the power of action and hence achieve what it sets out to do.  The new forums don't have this power."

"298”, “"

"299”, “"

"300”, “"

"301”, “"

"302”, “"

"303”, “"

"304”, “There is no requirement for a step change in existing Strategies for Parental Involvement. Inevitably current strategies will develop and evolve in response to the changing educational environment and parental demands.  The current parental bodies are considered effective forums for parental involvement.
"

"305”, “"

"306”, “The great majority of the board felt there was little or no need to add further strategies as the present system was working.
"

"307”, “"

"308”, “"

"309”, “"

"310”, “New strategies would be good. We would like to see new and better training for School Board members, better ways to consult parents, more consultation with the Boards by the Authorities and better guidelines for Board Members"

"311”, “While there is a need for a basic strategy, in light of (our Region's) diversity and rurality, it is crucial that any strategy can be adapted to suit local needs. Existing School Board arrangements work well in many places, and while the process requires to be slightly modernised, there is little requirement for wholesale change. In any change, however, appropriate and effective local consultation is vital.
In general terms, there is considerable concern regarding the format which parent forums would take. The wording of the Bill is felt to be too vague in places.

"

"312”, “"

"313”, “"

"314”, “Yes- but via existing School Board remit"

"315”, “Again, some agreed while some questioned the need as SB meetings are open to all.  It was felt this would be an additional burden on the authority."

"316”, “New strategies are not necessary if no new statutory duty is imposed.  Polices and procedures are in place to promote parental involvement but these could be assessed and possibly improved."

"317”, “Education authorities should have a responsibility to oversee work being done in schools, from Head Teachers to Board, to promote parental involvement."

"318”, “Yes”

"319”, “Yes - because not if, but when, it is imposed on us then at least the local authority will have an insight to the required legislation."

"320”, “If it helps to get more parents involved, then yes."

"321”, “Yes - parent forums should be involved in formulating the new strategies"

"322”, “Yes - and a good School Board will help to implement the strategies."

"323”, “Yes - new strategies are required to encourage parents to get involved."

"324”, “The parents at our school appear content with the present level of involvement."

"325”, “Again I believe that their time could be better spent in other areas."

"326”, “Yes”

"327”, “The responsibilities of parents (and of other individuals interested in the educational provision in 'local' schools) within the context of School Boards are presently substantial and potentially influential.  It is unlikely that new Strategies for Parental Involvement will enhance or improve these responsibilities.  The current provision for School Boards is stable responsible and highly relevant to promoting parental involvement.  There is no empirical evidence that this provision is any way inappropriate and its replacement is therefore unjustified."

"328”, “Yes”

"329”, “Yes - we agree the authorities should be more involved than at present to prepare the new strategies."

"330”, “No”

"331”, “"

"332”, “This sound impressive but there is no clear idea of what this would mean in practice.  There is a danger that giving an initiative a title may be seen as action whereas it is what follows that can make a difference.  As stated above all authorities should give active consideration to encouraging parental involvement but legislation does not seem necessary."

"333”, “Yes.  Education authorities should already have strategies for parental involvement in place."

"334”, “If the current system is generally not working then this would appear to be sensible. However here the Board and PTA work very well and are both well supported."

"335”, “No”

"336”, “Yes”

"337”, “Yes”

"338”, “Yes”

"339”, “Yes but some modernisation and reform necessary."

"340”, “"

"341”, “Yes there should be a requirement but we do not wish the current legislation to be replaced."

"342”, “An argument in favour of this would be that it would make the whole authority similar in set up but the Draft Bill is all for individual forums to suit individual schools.  The Education Authority have vision, values and aims and amongst the aims is to promote meaningful partnerships - is the Draft Bill's purpose to formulise that partnership'? The bill focuses on the set up/strategy of the Forum but there doesn't seem to be many guidelines about how it'll run or what its format is."

"343”, “Yes.  There is little point in giving them a statutory duty to promote parental involvement without them being required to develop a strategy.  The strategy should have aims and objectives, activities and an appropriate set of targets and milestones against which the strategy can be effectively monitored and subsequently evaluated."

"344”, “Yes.   Someone would have to structure.
"

"345”, “NO - As referenced in our answer to question 1 above - we do not support this requirement."

"346”, “Agreed  Parent Forums should be involved in formulating the new strategies.
"

"347”, “Yes if and where such strategies are not already in place."

"348”, “Again, in principle we agree with a strategic approach to parental involvement, however we believe the basis of this should be implementation of an amended School Board Act (see Q5. below), coupled with obligations on the authority to promote parental involvement (see Q6. below).  Not only will this preserve
 what is best of the current system and enhance it, it will also relieve each separate authority of having to fill in the gaps, which would appear to exist in the Bill.  The absence of centrally legislated formal bodies will mean considerable duplication of effort across authorities and schools, as each develop the way forward for themselves.  Whilst best practice will develop (and presumably shared across authorities) this will take time and not negate the initial efforts.
"

"349”, “Yes. It is always important for Education Authorities to review best practice in this area but for the Executive to recognise that parental involvement will vary depending on individual parents views and needs."

"350”, “There is no obvious and clear benefit from education authorities being required to prepare new Strategies for Parental Involvement. A SPI would only be necessary if the proposal to establish Parental Forums is taken forward, because there is a real risk that the reliance on an untried, decentralised and potentially informal delivery mechanism, could result in many parents having less effective involvement in their child's school.
Even if a SPI was a requirement, there is still no guarantee that a corporate document will have a genuine impact at the grass roots level. Again building on best practice to date, with education authorities supporting parents/communities to gain enhanced engagement would be a better way forward.
"

"351”, “"

"352”, “"

"353”, “"

"354”, “All strategies if required should be positive, non-committal and non-confrontational but at the same time encouraging the roles of parents in the forums of school boards and PTA.  Also including other ways that parents participate i.e.: extra curricular activities.  All parents are notified and invited to attend school board meetings."

"355”, “Yes, this again would be a good thing in general, but might it not be better to substitute a parent forum for an existing board or PTA and make sure it is involving parents in school issues by having to report its activities to the education authorities.  The whole concept that repeal of the 1988 act and setting up a complete replacement is necessary, has not been justified. See the answer to Q.1 above."

"356”, “"

"357”, “Yes, ones that are effective."

"358”, “Yes, but the types of involvement these strategies should address should be made clear."

"359”, “"

"360”, “If a new structure is brought in - yes. This already exists in (our Region)"

"361”, “- If they don't already exist, course needs to be put in place.
- Better to have strategy for parental involvement, rather than parent forum.
- Strategy for parental involvement almost seems to be saying parents having to provide education at home,
"

"362”, “No”

"363”, “"

"364”, “"

"365”, “"

"366”, “N / A"

"367”, “"

"368”, “"

"369”, “Yes”

"370”, “Staff time is precious - strategy documents should be simple in content and operation."

"371”, “No (our) Council fully involve parents whenever possible."

"372”, “All strategies for parental involvement vital, whether new ( or existing already under a different name)"

"373”, “Agree that there is a requirement for SPIs.  However, question the need for 'new strategies'."

"374”, “Yes - clear guidelines required to assist promote extra parental involvement, change is needed, consultation essential, more parental involvement of benefit, but would it happen."

"375”, “No - already complying"

"376”, “No - there is not enough structure in this Bill."

"377”, “Enhancing the role of parental involvement in all of our schools is a very important issue but we do not agree with the complete abolition of School Boards or that the bringing in of Parent Forums is the correct way ahead."

"378”, “Yes”

"379”, “Yes - there is little point in giving them a statutory duty to promote parental involvement without them being required to develop a strategy. The strategy should have aims and objectives, activities and an appropriate set of targets and milestones against which the strategy can be effectively monitored and subsequently evaluated."

"380”, “Not necessarily 'new' - perhaps 'improved'"

"381”, “Yes - although as already stated the present system when effective works well,  It must be recognised that no system works completely and education authorities should not stop attempting to improve the status quo.  However they should not ""change for change sake"" either."

"382”, “Yes - but why can't this take place as an adjustment to the existing arrangements."

"383”, “Yes - in consultation with parents, education authorities should be required to prepare new strategies for parental involvement.  There needs to be a clear role and responsibility given to the Head Teacher and local authority."

"384”, “This section is so fuzzy and vague there is nothing concrete to answer"

"385”, “Why strategies?  As long as there is some form of PTA with clear representation on a board type body what could be simpler? We don't need complicated strategies."

"386”, “Not to any great degree.  Guidelines are all that is needed - not full blown strategies!"

"387”, “Yes but their effectiveness needs to be closely monitored and new strategies prepared quickly if previous ones fail."

"388”, “Would rather revisit old strategies."

"389”, “No”

"390”, “Yes - but as well as."

"391”, “Yes - there had to be a process to develop and consult on the SPIs, otherwise the process could be hijacked by the education authority."

"392”, “Yes and ones that will be monitored and reported back to parents regarding not just numbers but the actual outputs and outcomes of parental involvement."

"393”, “No - no point preparing strategy if more time is then spent on strategy than task.  Education Authorities should be doing this already i.e. promoting parental involvement."

"394”, “I feel our authority already covers this.  Strategies in place are sufficient."

"395”, “Keep the existing strategies as they already cover this."

"396”, “Existing strategies sufficient."

"397”, “"

"398”, “Keep existing strategies which are sufficient."

"399”, “No - many do not want to be involved in school activities - and certainly would not want to be involved in forums."

"400”, “No - many parents do not want to get involved - it's very had to get them involved in school activities and the majority would not want to be involved in forums."

"401”, “No”

"402”, “Yes - informed by the above."

"403”, “"

"404”, “If Education Authorities have a new duty to promote parental involvement is clearly important that they spell out in public how they intend to fulfil that duty within the requirements of the law, although it might be better if the same duty were laid unambiguously upon all education authorities, perhaps in the form of a model scheme or national guidance.  Whether or not that statement needs to be called a strategy for parental involvement is another matter.  Words like 'strategy' are jargon.  Since the aim of the Bill is to promote parental involvement and the claim is that the current system of School Boards deters parental involvement because of bureaucracy, it would be better if all jargon were avoided."

"405”, “Not required. The answer to question 1, addresses this issue.
"

"406”, “Yes”

"407”, “Yes, we agree with this.  We think it would be useful to carry out more detailed research on the reasons parents are not currently involved in their child's education. This should be carried out by the SE and available centrally to assist LEA's in preparing strategies for parental Involvement. It is essential that the issue of parental involvement in their child's education, which miss be the priority, remains separate from the issue of parental representation in the school.  We would like to see strategies for promoting positive parent teaches. relationships detailed within School Development Plans.
"

"408”, “"

"409”, “No. Again local Authorities already have robust policies in place for parental involvement and this implies that they are not doing so."

"410”, “"

"411”, “"

"412”, “"

"413”, “"

"414”, “Blank"

"415”, “"

"416”, “"

"417”, “"

"418”, “"

"419”, “No. We are perhaps fortunate in (our Region) that our local authority is supportive of parental involvement and holds regular and very useful ""directors briefings"" for School Board members.  We do not consider that new legislation is necessary."

"420”, “"

"421”, “"

"422”, “"

"423”, “Yes”

"424”, “Yes, but any new strategies need to genuinely encourage parents and provide opportunities for parents to be part of the decision making process."

"425”, “"

"426”, “Education Authorities should merely oversee the work being done in schools to promote parental involvement."

"427”, “We do not see the need for substantial change at the Education Authority level.
"

"428”, “There is no obvious and clear benefit from education authorities being required to prepare new Strategies for Parental Involvement.  A SPI would only be necessary if the proposal to establish Parental Forums is taken forward, because there is a real risk that the reliance on an untried, decentralized and potentially informal delivery mechanism, could result in many parents having less effective involvement in their child's school.
Even if a SPI was a requirement, there is still no guarantee that a corporate document will have a genuine impact at the grass roots level.  Again building on best practice to date, with education authorities supporting parents/communities to gain enhanced engagement would be a better way forward.
"

"429”, “The Board agrees, provided that the Executive set out, on a regular basis, guidelines on good practice to enable each school to follow best practice for their circumstances."

"430”, “Again the general answer is yes. We believe that (our Region) is already prepared in this direction."

"431”, “Yes.  Few successful outcomes, in complex and demanding areas such as education, happen without good strategic planning."

"432”, “Yes, but why does this require a new parent forum?"

"433”, “Yes but some modernisation and reform necessary"

"434”, “Subject to the comments made in response to question 1 above, if the SPIs are designed to state how the education authorities will promote interaction with parents in an individual capacity, then the Board would agree that such statements should be prepared.  It is, however, insufficient to rely on this publication as a mode of communication and efforts should be made at a local level to raise awareness amongst parents of the strategies.  This should be dealt with at authority and school level so that a comprehensive and coherent message is sent to parents."

"435”, “This should not be done on their own initiative.  Boards and PTAs must be involved in the formation of any new strategies as they represent the very parents who will be affected by such new strategies.  To do so without consulting current School Boards and PTAs would appear to be going over the heads of the parental bodies already in existence."

"436”, “Only if the strategy is drawn up in consultation with the parents' representative bodies. The strategy should concern the authorities' policies and procedures and not impinge on the independence of school boards or on their status as representative bodies."

"437”, “Agreed, with provisions.  Parent Forums should be involved in formulating effective strategies.
"

"438”, “No.  We find that the existing arrangements to be satisfactory.  The existing arrangements encourage Parental Involvement & offer training for School Boards.
"

"439”, “Yes.  These must be provided to ensure the continued involvement of Parents in Schools."

"440”, “Yes.  Provided that this is in consultation with School Boards or other parental representatives."

"441”, “Yes”

"442”, “Yes”

"443”, “"

"444”, “"

"445”, “"

"446”, “Yes”

"447”, “Yes”

"448”, “"

"449”, “No new ones needed."

"450”, “Yes, we do agree."

"451”, “No”

"452”, “"

"453”, “No”

"454”, “Yes”

"455”, “"

"456”, “"

"457”, “Yes”

"458”, “Yes”

"459”, “Yes, as long as consultation with parents has taken place first."

"460”, “No, with regards to this draft paper."

"461”, “Yes, but not as a substitute for doing something useful."

"462”, “Yes - maximisation of pupil involvement - positive consequences for all."

"463”, “Improved strategies not new."

"464”, “Yes”

"465”, “SPIs MUST form part of the EAs annual statement."

"466”, “Yes”

"467”, “Yes”

"468”, “Education Authorities under existing Act should do this.  Up to Education Department to get it's act together."

"469”, “Yes”

"470”, “Yes”

"471”, “Only if these are meaningful and workable.  There is a danger that these would be contrived."

"472”, “Yes - more school board strategy to involve parents more, including educating parents in their responsibilities and obligations."

"473”, “No.  Almost always educational initiatives to involve parents fail.  If the desire for more involvement comes from  parents themselves,  success is more likely."

"474”, “Education Authorities should be required to consider new strategies in consultation with Headteachers, School Board, PTA and parents."

"475”, “No, we feel that existing arrangements are satisfactory."

"476”, “Yes - although in our school parents are already involved in a number of ways - this can always benefit from positive encouragement."

"477”, “Not sure.  Could compromise the independence / functions of the new parent forums."

"478”, “No.  We believe that a national strategy should be developed through amendments to the current Act and that all authorities by involved in this through active participation."

"479”, “Yes, by raising the profile of school boards and encouraging parents to stand for election.  Helping the Boards to set up sub groups for things like fund raising, homework groups, breakfast clubs, etc not all parents want to be involved directly in educational policy matters and would prefer to be involved in fund raising etc."

"480”, “I do not agree, as the education authority is already overloaded and schools have many steps for parental involvement already in place."

"481”, “No, unnecessary if current status quo exists."

"482”, “I think this could be a paper exercise and that education authorities are already over burdened,  Schools must be given time and the opportunity to carry out necessary learning and teaching.  Time must not be detracted from this by over burdening them with additional duties when we already have home / school agreements, homework policies, reports and regular parents meetings.  These are all valuable but time consuming when added to the new proposed PLPs, ESPs, CSPs in the process of being introduced."

"483”, “Yes - however could be a danger of encouraging parents and get involved who have their own agenda, not necessarily the best interests of the school as a whole."

"484”, “Don't understand how this is managed EAs , - parents surely a body has to represent the parents, and that body communicates with the EA.  Why wouldn't that body be a school board?  Sure, let the EAs suggest strategies via head teachers, or directly to school boards and encourage more outreach from school boards to parents, although able without over-turning the whole system."

"485”, “A national strategy / framework would be better - most LAs already encourage and support parental involvement - forums should be on delivering high standard education."

Parent Forums - Draft Bill