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Making the difference - improving parents' involvement in schools: a consultation on a draft bill

2 background to the bill

The proposals set out in this paper, and given shape in the draft Bill, emerge from and take account of a series of consultations and discussions with parents and other stakeholders, as well as reflecting the principles of Ministers' wider education improvement agenda.

The following milestones have been particularly significant in shaping the proposals set out in the draft Bill.

• The National Debate on Education (2002)

Parental involvement in education attracted a good deal of comment. Many responses were about parents taking more interest in, and supporting, the school and about the need for schools to value parents more. There was widespread support for the principle of parental involvement in schools and it was clear that parents were keen to support both their own children's learning and their schools. Some of the formal requirements relating to School Boards, including compulsory elections and restrictions on Board numbers were said to be off-putting to many parents.

• The Executive's response to the National Debate (February 2003)

While acknowledging the strengths of School Boards and their contribution to the principle of parental involvement in Scotland's schools, Ministers recognised the need to review and change the current statutory arrangements. In their response to the National Debate they therefore committed themselves to increasing the involvement of parents in their children's education, reviewing and reforming the role of School Boards and improving communication with parents about education practice and parents' role in the decision-making process, all of which was to be done during 2004 and 2005.

• A Partnership for a Better Scotland (May 2003)

The devolved Government's commitment to better parental involvement in schools was underlined in the Coalition Partnership Agreement published after the 2003 Scottish Parliamentary election. It set out a clear commitment to 'work to strengthen the link between parents and schools'. The draft Bill represents a key element of fulfilling this commitment. It sits alongside a major policy initiative launched in August 2004 to offer parents good practical guidance on ways in which they can directly help their own children's learning under the banner Making the difference.

• Recent consultations and discussion (2004)

The Executive has engaged in a series of discussions in and around these issues with over 100 School Board chairs from around Scotland, with parental representative organisations such as the Scottish School Boards Association (SSBA) and Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC). We have also spoken with education authorities, with teachers' unions and with others with an interest in the parental agenda such as the Scottish Consumer Council, and church and faith groups. The views of all of these groups have very much helped to inform the thinking behind the proposals in the draft Bill.

• Research on parents' views on improving parental involvement (2004)

We are keen that parents should consider what aspects of current arrangements they like best and which work best as they decide on whatever new arrangements they wish to operate for the future. In 2004 the Executive commissioned independent researchers to consult parents about their views on parental involvement. A key aim of the research was to reach the widest possible range of parent stakeholders, particularly the 'silent majority' who have until now been reluctant or unable to express their views. The project therefore targeted parents from different geographical, cultural and social backgrounds.

The research showed that the majority of parents currently have relatively low levels of involvement in schools. Few participate in active, formal activities such as membership of the School Board and are more likely, if anything, to seek involvement in informal activities. It found that many see the formal structures to be intimidating, closed and not necessarily there to seek or represent their own views.

The proposals contained in the draft Bill are just part of a wider set of measures to promote parental involvement in education. Other elements focus on helping parents become better involved in their children's learning, such as a series of support packages for parents and schools which are being issued over an 18-month period.

Other work is also underway or being commissioned to lay the groundwork for the implementation of, and transition to, the changes proposed in the draft Bill. These include:

• a good practice guide with examples of what has worked well elsewhere. This will help parents decide on the future nature of parental representation in their school
• practical advice at the time of transition on how to consult and capture the views of the whole parent body in a school on what new arrangements they want
• a new section of the How good is our school? self-assessment manual, which will focus on parental involvement - to assist in monitoring and reviewing the new arrangements.

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