Parent Civic Practice in the Puget Sound Educational Service District

Abstract

This study highlights parent voices while documenting Parent Committees at Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) Early Learning Programs/Preschool centers. It focuses on Parent Committees from preschool sites within the Puget Sound Educational Service district (PSESD). This research contributes to the model of shared governance for increasing civic practice among parents in the Early Learning community. To better understand committee membership and shared governance, five parents were interviewed. Four themes emerged from these interviews about member attendance, agenda setting, access to funding, as well as personal growth and development. All the Parent Committees represented in the study sample experience limited membership; those who are active consider the impact they can have with broader parent involvement. The research suggests that parent committees, as a part of federally and state funded Early Learning programs can support parents to become more engaged in building the future of their child's education. These programs could do more to develop Parent Committee membership and increase participation.