Unique Challenges in Urban Schools: The Involvement of African American Parents

This study explores the various ways in which parental involvement can help to increase student academic success. More specifically, this analysis is based on the notions that:

1) parent involvement in inner city schools present unique challenges that are different from the traditional middle class perspective;
2) there is value in a cooperative approach between parents, teachers, and administrators that places the student at the center of each major discussion and decision; and
3) illustrates that parental involvement is a real perspective and not just rhetorical jargon.

Although the focus of this book is in increasing parent involvement in inner city schools, readers must be mindful that the ultimate objective for this work and others like it is the successful educating of all children, so that they graduate from high school, and move into higher education, or into the workforce. Parent involvement by itself will not ensure academic success of children, but, combined with many strategies, including a clear understanding of the differences between an inner city school environment and a middle class school setting, effective teaching, sound and relevant curricula, safe and secure learning environment, and visionary leadership, children attending inner city schools can be just as effective as those in middle class school settings.