Parent involvement in the Menomonie Middle School Educational Talent Search Program

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes and behaviors of parents whose children were involved in the Educational Talent Search Program at the Menomonie Middle School, in Menomonie, Wisconsin. This study surveyed the needs, attitudes and behaviors of parents in regard to their involvement with their adolescent’s education and the Educational Talent Search Program. parents whose adolescents were students at the Menomonie Middle School, in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Surveys were then analyzed using T-tests, ANOVA, and the Student-Newman-Keuls Multiple Range and the Duncan Test. Mothers were more supportive of the Educational Talent Search Program, exposure to career education, and desired more parent/child events at school than fathers Non-Caucasian parents scored more positively than Caucasian parents about the program being helpful, more parent/child events, and the school valuing their suggestions. The English language was also more difficult for them. Single parents indicated that having a busy lifestyle prevented them from attending school events more that two parent families. Parents with a high school education indicated that the English language was more difficult to understand. This study concluded with recommendations on how to improve and enhance parental involvement in the Educational Talent Search Program.