Making the difference – involving parents better in schools
SSBA Question 2
Do you believe that the Draft Bill will achieve the stated aims of involving more parents in their children’s learning ?
"1”, “"
"2”, “"
"3”, “It may in fact have
a detrimental effect"
"4”, “Do not think the
Draft Bill will involve more parents - what if parents don't
attend?"
"5”, “"
"6”, “"
"7”, “Not in our area -
our demographic area, may be counter productive"
"8”, “"
"9”, “"
"10”, “"
"11”, “"
"12”, “"
"13”, “"
"14”, “"
"15”, “"
"16”, “"
"17”, “"
"18”, “Probably not - no
automatic guarantee"
"19”, “"
"20”, “"
"21”, “Likely to vary from
authority to authority and school to school"
"22”, “Not as it
stands"
"23”, “Not really"
"24”, “Not
particularly"
"25”, “It will be hard
getting people who aren't bothered to care anyway"
"26”, “No"
"27”, “No"
"28”, “"
"29”, “Most parents
currently involved as much as they wish to either through PTA or
School Board or parent volunteers"
"30”, “Absolutely not
convinced that this will lead to parent involvement. Even
if it did, the link to school management would be weakened by
lack of formal role for HT"
"31”, “"
"32”, “"
"33”, “"
"34”, “I don't believe the
draft Bill will involve more parents in their children's
learning"
"35”, “"
"36”, “"
"37”, “"
"38”, “Not necessarily -
it's hard t know"
"39”, “"
"40”, “"
"41”, “No - parents who
are interested get involved from the day their child starts
school - not because of interference from politicians"
"42”, “"
"43”, “Not sure"
"44”, “"
"45”, “"
"46”, “Possibly for better
or worse"
"47”, “"
"48”, “"
"49”, “No we agree that
there is no evidence that the Draft Bill will result in improved
parental involvement and may in fact make things worse"
"50”, “"
"51”, “This new Bill has
the potential to be a shambles. What muppet came up this
idea. Have the vast majority of parents voiced their
disapproval about the current system?"
"52”, “No - probably not -
we are concerned that the free for all on constitutions etc may
actually put people off!"
"53”, “Not at all. Forums
are not the answer. Good successful Boards consult parents
regularly"
"54”, “"
"55”, “"
"56”, “"
"57”, “Individuals will
achieve involvement - not ""Acts"""
"58”, “"
"59”, “"
"60”, “"
"61”, “"
"62”, “No but as one
member put it 'we have no crystal ball' parents need to want to
be involved in their children's learning - sadly some just want
to abdicate all responsibility"
"63”, “"
"64”, “The proposals are
too complicated and ill defined"
"65”, “"
"66”, “Not in our
area"
"67”, “"
"68”, “Absolutely
not"
"69”, “"
"70”, “"
"71”, “"
"72”, “I don't see that it
can"
"73”, “Not at all"
"74”, “No more than the
current bill - it requires a cultural change"
"75”, “Absolutely
not"
"76”, “"
"77”, “"
"78”, “This is uncertain
as to whether this would be the outcome"
"79”, “"
"80”, “Ministers seriously
underestimate the level of apathy amongst parents to
'involvement' The same individuals will always make the
effort despite the discouraging nature of these proposals"
"81”, “"
"82”, “It was felt that
the Draft Bill contains nothing of a concrete nature that in
itself will achieve the stated aim of increasing the amount of
parental involvement in their children's learning"
"83”, “"
"84”, “"
"85”, “"
"86”, “"
"87”, “"
"88”, “No - we believe
that the current bill will divorce the community from the
education process and that in a short number of years there will
be little or no representation on a broad range of issues. The
current proposal will tend towards single issue politics and the
vagaries of the local authorities"
"89”, “"
"90”, “"
"91”, “Definitely
not"
"92”, “"
"93”, “"
"94”, “It shouldn't be
repealed, but could be modernised."
"95”, “"
"96”, “No"
"97”, “Possible but :-
concerned at lack of supervision; - could become a 'talking shop'
with no real powers to improve."
"98”, “No"
"99”, “No"
"100”, “No
difference."
"101”, “Hopefully it
will."
"102”, “No"
"103”, “It is questionable
if involving more parents would be achieved. It is also
questionable if this should be the aim of the bill - what is
important is whether involving more parents will raise standards
of education."
"104”, “Not really. Perhaps
changing election process would help but not dramatically. Should
we be obsessed with parental involvement figures."
"105”, “No."
"106”, “No"
"107”, “No, I believe it
would have a detrimental effect."
"108”, “No, we believe
this will lead to less parental involvement."
"109”, “No"
"110”, “No"
"111”, “In our school it
is very doubtful. It tends always to be the same people
whether SB or PTA. Very little if any (want) more
involvement."
"112”, “No"
"113”, “No"
"114”, “No"
"115”, “Not as currently
worded, because at many schools parents' organisations would
lapse through disorganisation. It is the content of what
school boards look at, that puts some parents off."
"116”, “No, parents can
presently be involved if they so wish."
"117”, “Not as currently
worded, because at many schools parents' organisations would
lapse through disorganisation."
"118”, “I do not believe
the Draft Bill will achieve the stated aims because interested
parents have always been involved in their children’s
learning, while other parents believe teachers are paid to teach
their children."
"119”, “No. I think
it will take it away from the parents. Parents have the
right to have a say in how their child is educated i.e. class
sizes, curriculum, school affairs, catchments, amount of
teachers, etc....."
"120”, “No"
"121”, “Blank"
"122”, “No"
"123”, “Not as such.
It tends to be the same people involved."
"124”, “No"
"125”, “No"
"126”, “I can see no
improvement on this. It has been difficult enough to get
people to serve on boards. Casual is not going to encourage
any more and the Boards at least allow them to appoint
proxies."
"127”, “No. We
believe even less parents will get involved."
"128”, “"
"129”, “Not in all
schools. Some schools struggle for school board and PTA
members. SSBA provides formalised support network."
"130”, “No"
"131”, “No, It will always
be the same core of 'volunteers' who volunteer."
"132”, “No"
"133”, “I do not believe
that the draft bill will achieve this. Modernising S.B.A.
1988 should be considered."
"134”, “No. Parents are
involved with their child's education because they want to, if
not, it is because they don't want to, not because legislation is
holding them back."
"135”, “No - not enough
guidelines and it removes the present partnership between schools
and school boards."
"136”, “No"
"137”, “No"
"138”, “No"
"139”, “No"
"140”, “No"
"141”, “No we do
not."
"142”, “No"
"143”, “No"
"144”, “"
"145”, “Not really - a lot
of schools struggle to get people more involved as it is.
""If it's not broken, why mend it?"""
"146”, “No"
"147”, “Definitely not
!"
"148”, “No"
"149”, “"
"150”, “No"
"151”, “No"
"152”, “No"
"153”, “Only if parents
want involved in their children’s learning"
"154”, “No"
"155”, “Blank"
"156”, “Hopefully !"
"157”, “No. Plenty
of opportunities already available through PTA's and school
boards. Why should more parents suddenly wish to become
involved ??"
"158”, “"
"159”, “No"
"160”, “No. The
requirement for only one parent will probably reduce the
involvement of parents."
"161”, “No"
"162”, “No"
"163”, “No we do not
believe more parents will become involved - the same ones that
are involved now will continue."
"164”, “"
"165”, “This is not the
way to do it"
"166”, “"
"167”, “"
"168”, “No significant
difference"
"169”, “"
"170”, “No - less"
"171”, “We believe that
the current bill will divorce the community from the education
process and that in a short number of years there will be little
or no representation on a broad range of issues. The
current proposal will tend towards single issue politics and the
vagaries of the local authorities."
"172”, “It is not clear
that new legislation would give parental management or
involvement any more power or authority."
"173”, “"
"174”, “Parents who are
concerned about their children already have the opportunity to be
involved."
"175”, “No could well end
up with less parents involved (or small cliques not wanting to
involve all parents)"
"176”, “"
"177”, “"
"178”, “No - not in their
learning - As for getting parents more involved in schools
generally, then maybe."
"179”, “"
"180”, “"
"181”, “Not clear from
contents of Bill"
"182”, “"
"183”, “No - there is a
risk that it will encourage parents with their own agenda to come
forward and for strong individuals to monopolise
proceedings."
"184”, “A definite no!
Where are all these parents the Scottish Executive see becoming
more involved?"
"185”, “We cannot see how
this will make a difference at all. The challenge of
getting parents involved goes much deeper than any legislation
and the Scottish Executive are kidding themselves if they think
any different."
"186”, “Will be same as at
moment whatever it is called, or how it's elected."
"187”, “No - too much room
for interpretation of the intentions of the new act - far too
woolly."
"188”, “No. Parents
are at present involved in their children's learning as much as
they want. A 'Bill' won't enforce disinterested (minority)
parents to become more involved."
"189”, “No"
"190”, “No. It's
ambiguity leaves too much interpretation to individuals.
Better to operate within known parameters."
"191”, “"
"192”, “"
"193”, “No but we feel if
we make forum members known to parents and take a less formal
approach we may encourage them to become involved."
"194”, “Parents make their
own choices!"
"195”, “Not
necessarily"
"196”, “Help in getting
parents involved is needed."
"197”, “"
"198”, “No most parents
are interested in their children's education and most schools
communicate with parents through newsletters etc, Parents
who wish to become involved are probably already involved, but it
may encourage some."
"199”, “"
"200”, “No - there seems
to be a trend that in School Boards there is a higher proportion
of men than in a PTA. Is this because men relate and work
better with the formal structure, voting system etc? Perhaps
if school forums were too informal not so many men would choose
to be involved. It would be a tragedy to lose the
involvement of men as research shows it is beneficial to a
child's education if father actively involved in their
education."
"201”, “No - absolutely
not."
"202”, “"
"203”, “If parents want to
become involved then they will regardless of the Bill or
not."
"204”, “"
"205”, “No, the image of
the School Board should be updated and made more user friendly.
To encourage more parental involvement."
"206”, “No"
"207”, “No"
"208”, “No"
"209”, “"
"210”, “"
"211”, “Probably not -
parents tend to get more involved if there is a problem, so
difficult to see how to get them more positively involved."
"212”, “There is no
question of parents waiting for a place on a school board !"
"213”, “No"
"214”, “Not
necessarily"
"215”, “No"
"216”, “Definitely
Not"
"217”, “No"
"218”, “"
"219”, “In a rural area
such as the one we live in we find it increasingly difficult to
sustain numbers for the school board and can't see more parents
becoming involved."
"220”, “No"
"221”, “Not necessarily,
and not as currently drafted."
"222”, “No. It may
weaken the commitment of parents and allow single issues to
dominate, also weakening representation thro'
""optional"" elections."
"223”, “No, the draft bill
makes much of representation and consultation but little of
involvement and empowerment."
"224”, “"
"225”, “No"
"226”, “No"
"227”, “No we do not :
we feel this would fail as a constructive bridge between parents
& the school, a role that can be fulfilled within the
structure of a school board."
"228”, “No"
"229”, “No"
"230”, “No. It could
actually have the opposite effect."
"231”, “No"
"232”, “"
"233”, “We have serious
doubts that the Draft Bill will involve more parents and are
deeply concerned at the prospect of School Boards being
abolished, with the removal of their statutory rights."
"234”, “Possibly, but not
necessarily."
"235”, “Not really"
"236”, “No. From
experience having a core group of parents as representation is an
efficient way of dealing with issues that are concerning pupils
education. (The parents in the core group have had to be
voted in and are accountable to other parents."
"237”, “"
"238”, “"
"239”, “No. I do
not."
"240”, “No - may have
opposite effect if new forum has little structure or school
involvement."
"241”, “No. School
boards struggle to get parents onto the board sometimes. We
doubt Parent Forums will bring out any new members."
"242”, “"
"243”, “No."
"244”, “No. We feel
that the same people would probably be involved if the school
boards were replaced by forums."
"245”, “Not at all - may
lead to confusion and highly motivated personal single issue
agendas."
"246”, “"
"247”, “"
"248”, “Yes we feel it
must be properly established. However some schools will
have ""lots"" of parents but others
none."
"249”, “I believe it would
lead to lots more talking but little action. I am extremely
concerned about the idea of multiple forum groups in numerous
schools making decisions globally for each school. Too many
people involved with their own agenda."
"250”, “Not necessarily -
no - general view of PTA"
"251”, “This will depend
on the leadership and support of the local authority and the
Headteacher. It is more likely to achieve this aim by being
less formal. However it may result in reduced parental
involvement."
"252”, “"
"253”, “"
"254”, “"
"255”, “"
"256”, “"
"257”, “"
"258”, “We think the
informality of the proposed structure makes it easier for parents
to opt-out believing others will turn up to the forum
instead"
"259”, “Changing the name
won't help"
"260”, “"
"261”, “In some cases
(i.e. where there is no School Board or conflict in existing
Boards) more parents could be involved."
"262”, “Only if monitored
and dealt with quarterly if parents are not involved onus on
authority to find out why."
"263”, “You will always
only get the same people. Our Board makes it clear that any
parent is always welcome to attend."
"264”, “We do not believe
it will have the desired effect."
"265”, “Very sceptical of
this."
"266”, “"
"267”, “"
"268”, “"
"269”, “"
"270”, “"
"271”, “I believe you need
commitment from individuals."
"272”, “"
"273”, “"
"274”, “"
"275”, “We believe it
would have the opposite effect and that it is the formality of
the Board structure that ensures people remain committed."
"276”, “Every group I have
been involved with - playgroup, cubs, beavers, PTA to name a few
have a certain number of parents who are keen or prepared to be
actively involved. Others prefer to support their group
from afar, baking, offering raffle prizes or even donating funds.
I cannot see anyway that this will change Bill or not."
"277”, “"
"278”, “It creates either
a monster or nothing at all. Without some 'across the
board' legislation or framework, chaos could ensue. We
don't think that will be supportive to schools and more important
our children's education."
"279”, “No - it will only
make matters worse. School Forums could be formed with only
personal agendas in mind."
"280”, “"
"281”, “YES"
"282”, “No"
"283”, “No, indeed it may
lead to reduced parental involvement, creation of pressure groups
and a divide between parents and Headteachers / staff."
"284”, “6 Members replied
NO, Yes, but with comment - not for best. Comments were:
Bill seems very woolly, no clear guidelines, lacks structure, no
evidence that involving more parents will be achieved hard to get
parents involved, ensuring all parents are represented, it will
reduce parent involvement with schools."
"285”, “No"
"286”, “No - certainly
not."
"287”, “No"
"288”, “No, quite the
reverse actually."
"289”, “"
"290”, “"
"291”, “"
"292”, “"
"293”, “We do not believe
that the Draft Bill will achieve the aim of involving more
parents in their children's learning."
"294”, “We believe the
Draft Bill will not achieve the involvement of more parents from
our school community,"
"295”, “No!! We do not see
how this Bill encourages parents to get involved."
"296”, “"
"297”, “No."
"298”, “"
"299”, “"
"300”, “"
"301”, “"
"302”, “"
"303”, “"
"304”, “"
"305”, “No."
"306”, “"
"307”, “"
"308”, “We do not believe
that there is any guarantee that the Draft Bill will achieve the
stated aims of involving more parents in their children’s
learning."
"309”, “"
"310”, “We do not consider
that the draft bill will achieve its stated aims as the proposed
structure is too ill-defined."
"311”, “No, we believe
parents will be deterred from taking part by the responsibility
of setting up the membership and functions of a Forum"
"312”, “"
"313”, “"
"314”, “"
"315”, “"
"316”, “"
"317”, “"
"318”, “Because it only
requires the presence of 1 parent"
"319”, “Not enough parents
wish to join, get involved with schools at present. So what
difference will changing to a forum make?"
"320”, “I sent out
questionnaires to all parents asking if they felt the School
Board should change, be 'tweaked' or change to parent forum -
only 33 responded, 27 for no change, 2 for parent forum."
"321”, “"
"322”, “The one person who
can involve parents in the learning process is the committed Head
Teacher."
"323”, “"
"324”, “In a few cases it
may but in general there is a real threat of losing the present
quality of representation."
"325”, “I believe it might
even frighten some parents away as the less structure to it, the
less appealing is becomes and the harder it is to entice people
to join."
"326”, “Need to create
more flexibility."
"327”, “"
"328”, “"
"329”, “Parents
involvement will not improve as a result of the proposed 'draft
bill'"
"330”, “"
"331”, “We do not believe
that. A good partnership between the Board and the PTA
should be sufficient."
"332”, “It is more likely
to cause confusion."
"333”, “Not in its present
draft form. Some areas too vaguely worded. Parents may lose
the authority that they hold in School Board legislation and
would have to build this up again in new parent forums."
"334”, “It could give a
more welcoming impression to parents but I am concerned that it
could also be too wishy-washy in its content. More
structure could actually ensure more is achieved."
"335”, “"
"336”, “"
"337”, “"
"338”, “"
"339”, “"
"340”, “"
"341”, “We believe the
draft bill will not achieve the involvement of more parents from
our school community."
"342”, “No, I believe that
as there is no stated term in office, it could make it a lengthy
commitment. All parents are involved in their child's
education."
"343”, “"
"344”, “"
"345”, “"
"346”, “"
"347”, “No. Diluting
the powers that current school boards have is hardly likely to
encourage more parents to become involved."
"348”, “Difficult to say -
it may involve more parents, but we believe the quality of
involvement would be significantly less. We believe you
could involve more parents and maintain / enhance the quality by
amendments to the current Act (See also our response to Q4-6
below)."
"349”, “"
"350”, “"
"351”, “Judging from a
meeting of parents that we held last week, yes, it may involve
parents who would not necessarily want to join formal
groups"
"352”, “We do not believe
that the Draft Bill will achieve the aim of involving more
parents in their children's learning."
"353”, “"
"354”, “No"
"355”, “We believe the new
bill, in its present form, which allows Parent Forum's to be set
up with no control over numbers, no need for formal meetings, no
need for guidance on the form of their constitution and no
attempt to build on either the current school board or school
PTA, would lead to a considerably worse situation in involving
more parents in their children's learning."
"356”, “"
"357”, “No."
"358”, “"
"359”, “"
"360”, “"
"361”, “"
"362”, “NO"
"363”, “"
"364”, “"
"365”, “"
"366”, “No. Definitely
not !"
"367”, “Blank"
"368”, “It is by no means
assured that the Executive's proposal for the creation of 'parent
forums' will result in a greater involvement of parents. Indeed,
the informality of what is suggested may well give rise to real
reservations among parents that the louder and more articulate
voices would prevail and many would still find it difficult to
have their say."
"369”, “"
"370”, “This is very
unlikely, School Boards and PTAs are well recognised by all
parents regardless of their level of involvement. Re-explaining
how all parents can help their school (not just board members)
would be useful in most cases though."
"371”, “"
"372”, “"
"373”, “Bill lacks
clarity"
"374”, “Sadly the level of
parental involvement will probably remain low (only 7 parents
attended the recent local meeting about the consultation that the
Council organised). At present (our) High School benefits
from an active Board and an enthusiastic PTA, fulfilling
different but important roles. A parent forum may supplant
both."
"375”, “"
"376”, “"
"377”, “It may encourage
some extra parental involvement, however if this involves
parental forums we feel this could actually have a detrimental
effect on the school as a whole rather than be
advantageous."
"378”, “Without the proper
procedures there will be more problems than improvements."
"379”, “"
"380”, “Not many areas of
deprivation where many parents have low self-esteem, lack of
transport etc and feel unable to attend."
"381”, “Most parents are
content to let an elected group represent them on most issues.
The majority of parents only wish to get involved when situations
specifically involve their child - i.e. bullying. Parents
may actually have less influence in some areas."
"382”, “I think parents
will lose out as there will be no proper structure."
"383”, “Our Board believes
that the same people will still be involved and some parents will
need to be convinced to be involved. It will be up to each
school to make it a success."
"384”, “"
"385”, “"
"386”, “"
"387”, “Individual parents
are involved in the learning of their own children but are not in
my experience interested in the learning experience of schools as
a whole unless there is a problem."
"388”, “Not
necessarily"
"389”, “Parents who wish
to be actively involved will get involved in their children's
learning through current PTA/School Board activities without
introduction of Draft Bill."
"390”, “Less - it would
result in tokenism."
"391”, “There are not
enough parents who wish to join in and participate. The
issue is that parents do not appear to have the inclination to
join either the School Board or PTA - changing to parent forums
is unlikely to increase participation - it is likely to reduce
it."
"392”, “I think it may
depending upon the education authorities skills. However that
involvement needs structure and focus."
"393”, “"
"394”, “Not
necessarily"
"395”, “"
"396”, “Cannot see
how"
"397”, “"
"398”, “Leave School
Boards alone"
"399”, “"
"400”, “Left to same
parents - nobody volunteers for school council and other things -
can't see any benefit - fine as we are."
"401”, “"
"402”, “Not at all. It
seems likely to result in little or no effective
involvement."
"403”, “"
"404”, “"
"405”, “"
"406”, “No"
"407”, “No. The Bill
does not focus effectively on this issue and gives no guidance on
how it might be achieved."
"408”, “"
"409”, “"
"410”, “"
"411”, “"
"412”, “"
"413”, “"
"414”, “Blank"
"415”, “"
"416”, “Absolutely not -
the silent majority are by their own choice and this should not
change."
"417”, “"
"418”, “"
"419”, “We do not believe
the proposed new legislation will result in more parental
involvement and could even result in less.
"
"420”, “"
"421”, “"
"422”, “"
"423”, “"
"424”, “No- opposite
effect as new bill will require forums to draw up constitution,
may not obtain teacher / school representative, therefore less
likely to be treated seriously by Council or Scottish
Executive."
"425”, “"
"426”, “We're pretty
sceptical and therefore don't believe that the Draft Bill will
lead to more parents being involved in their children's
learning."
"427”, “We think it
unlikely that the Draft Bill will achieve the stated aims of
involving more
parents in their children's learning. We think that parents
who wish to engage with this already have the opportunity
to do so."
"428”, “"
"429”, “"
"430”, “No"
"431”, “We do not believe
the draft bill will achieve its stated aim, of involving more
parents in their children's learning, but is more likely to erode
it. The above research provides a systematic catalogue of
issues hindering parental involvement, with often innovative
resolutions. These require Scottish Executive commitment
and funding, which seems worryingly light in the draft bill.
Parent representative groups could surely provide valuable
support in resolving such issues? Given documented
difficulties in attracting parents to formal bodies, including
parent forums, abolishing those parent representative groups
which do exist - to be replaced by groups of uncertain
constitution - seems unwise. With research findings showing
parents are motivated to activity by direct interests of their
own children, to saddle such a fledgling group with no clear
appointment procedure and a initial requirement to decide its own
constitution (one of the biggest known ""turn
offs"") certainly seems foolish!"
"432”, “No - those who
want to be involved will be involved regardless, be it on the
Board or PTA."
"433”, “"
"434”, “"
"435”, “No. We are in fact
concerned that the Draft Bill could cause the opposite effect.
This is due to the lack of organisation and structure of forums
that could lead to an increase in conflict between differing
parental opinions, and as a result, alienating parents perceived
to be less ""dominant"" personalities."
"436”, “No."
"437”, “No, we don't.
A document was circulated to the 330 families in (our) Primary
School, seeking their views on the joint PSA/School Board's
suggested response to the Draft Bill. When we carry out an
Ethos survey of the same group, the response rate is always of
the order of 80%. In this case, we have had 3 responses.
We consider this to be a clear indication of a lack of interest
in change for the sake of change."
"438”, “"
"439”, “"
"440”, “No. (See results
of the survey of parents below.) We have however tried to
give constructive answers to the questions as phrased."
"441”, “Potentially,
however there is the feeling that a forum would be less official
with less powers."
"442”, “Impossible to
say."
"443”, “No."
"444”, “We believe the
repeal of elections may encourage more parents to become involved
- but the proposals will not allow them a 'strong' voice."
"445”, “No"
"446”, “Yes"
"447”, “Again not
sure."
"448”, “This is an
impossible question to answer - it may encourage some parents and
drive others away."
"449”, “No"
"450”, “No"
"451”, “No"
"452”, “We have serious
reservations over this bill actually reducing parental
involvement."
"453”, “"
"454”, “No"
"455”, “No"
"456”, “Not sure that it
will."
"457”, “Yes"
"458”, “"
"459”, “We believe the
draft bill will give more opportunity for parents to get involved
in their children's learning."
"460”, “No, it will not
achieve the stated aims."
"461”, “Hard to tell
without detail on parent forums, but unlikely to cause a
significant improvement."
"462”, “Blank"
"463”, “No, the issue
needs to be approached from the other direction: parenting
classes for future parents, e.g. with anti-natal classes or at
school combined with citizenship."
"464”, “No - quite the
opposite, the level of work required in drafting a new
constitution would be off putting for parents."
"465”, “No"
"466”, “"
"467”, “No"
"468”, “(The Minister's)
on another planet just creating work."
"469”, “We feel that no
evidence has been shown to this end and are concerned about the
loss of parental involvement, parents enjoyed."
"470”, “It may do -
certainly worth a try. Unlikely to involve fewer
parents."
"471”, “No"
"472”, “No - it will not.
Apathy will continue - it could be detrimental."
"473”, “No."
"474”, “No"
"475”, “No. We
believe parents are only involved in their children's learning to
the levels they feel comfortable with. People like
structure to organisations, such as definite length of term of
office. We do not feel they will be encouraged to
participate by any of these changes."
"476”, “In the absence of
any existing group - maybe but the existing groups can encourage
this and the draft bill will place an obligation on Councils to
promote this."
"477”, “No"
"478”, “No, by removing
the legal requirement of involvement and making forums voluntary,
it will most likely reduce the number of parents involved in
children’s' learning. Further more it will remove
transparency in the management of the school and quality of
education being provided which will again work against the
documented objective of the proposed bill."
"479”, “No, it will result
in forum parents being involved in their children’s'
learning"
"480”, “I do not think
their aim is achievable. It has been notoriously difficult
over the years to involve parents in school boards / PTAs etc.
but that is not to say that schools do not find ways to involve
parents in their children's education."
"481”, “No"
"482”, “I believe there
are many ways of encouraging parents to be involved in their
children’s learning while school boards / parents forums can
be a valuable support for schools in many areas they are not a
way of involving all parents in their own children’s
learning. "
"483”, “No - very possibly
the reverse."
"484”, “Children's
learning is enhanced by (a) improving the management, fabric and
quality of the schools delivering that education, and (b) the at
home engagement and encouragement of each child's parents or
guardian's. Point (a) will be damaged by the provisions of
the Draft Bill and, point (b) will be unaffected one way or the
other. There is no evidence that over turning the whole
apple-cart will achieve anything ! Except, perhaps a long
period of chaos."
"485”, “Without structure it will be very difficult to get parents involved. There will be less interest in quality of education and a forum on fund raising."