![Sample our Education journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5932/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Education.jpg"})
Abstract
This article reports the results of a survey of parental involvement (PI) policy and practice in middle schools in a large New Zealand city. Principals at all 11 middle schools in the city were contacted and agreed to be interviewed. Interviews were conducted using a schedule that focuses on 11 aspects of PI: encouraging parents into school, policy formation, acting as a resource, collaborating with teachers, sharing information on children, channels of communication, liaison with school staff, parent education, parent support, involving diverse parents, and teacher professional development. Analysis of data from the interviews indicates that there are some common strengths and weaknesses with regard to PI in middle schools. There were also important differences between schools in the types of PI they engaged in as well as some clear gaps in provision. Implications for improving the practice of PI in middle schools and for further research are discussed.