Parents, education, and the state

The role of parents in the education system is crucial and increasingly recognised as being so, not only by teachers, but by parents themselves and politicians. Parents are seen to have an influential part to play in support of schools and are also asked to take a more controlling role. This book examines the reality of parents' place in the education system: How important is their contribution? What do they think of it? What do teachers and children think of this? What kind of impact do parents have on the academic and social futures of their children? And what do parents think about the political changes? This book brings together original research and distinguished contributors to deal with important issues. It analyses what is going on based on empirical evidence from parents, children and teachers, and draws out the political implications.