- All parents have hopes and goals for their children. They differ in how they support their children's efforts to achieve those goals.
- The home is one of several spheres that simultaneously influence a child. The school must work with other spheres for the child's benefit, not push them apart.
- The parent is the central contributor to a child's education. Schools can either co-opt that role or recognize the potential of the parent.
- Parent involvement must be a legitimate element of education. If deserves equal emphasis with elements such as program improvement and evaluation.
- Parent involvement is a process, not a program of activities. A consensus of understanding is important.
- Parent involvement requires a vision, polity, and framework.
- Parent interaction with their children is the cornerstone of parent involvement. A program must recognize the value, diversity, and difficulty of this role.
- Most barriers to parent involvement are found within school practices. They are not usually found within parents.
- Any parent can be "hard to reach." Parents must be identified and approached individually. They are not defined by gender, ethnicity, family situation, education, or income.
- Successful parent involvement nurtures relationships and partnerships. It strengthens bonds between home and school, parent and educator, parent and child, school and community.
from "North Carolina Department of Public Instructions"