Extent and source of parents' school-related information

In an era of widespread parent participation and choice in education, parents' attitudes and behaviors toward their children's schools can be understood better by examining the nature of school-related information in parents' possession. The extent and source of information held by 765 Israeli parents regarding their children's schools were examined. Results show that mothers possess more information and use more internal sources—visiting school, meeting with teachers and principals—than fathers do. Also, parents of senior high pupils use fewer internal sources of information regarding their adolescents' schools than do parents of children attending elementary and junior high schools. The discussion highlights the advantages that informed parents can offer both their children and their respective educational institutions.