Many administrators lack the knowledge, ability or motivation to involve parents in ways that are meaningful to them. As a result, these programs have no parent policy boards and no parent committees. A large number of state-and federally funded education and social service programs require parent participation on policy boards and committees. Many of these programs, however, do not involve parents successfully. Although the administrators and staff members at most of these programs may have standard, published program guidelines and procedures for parent involvement, few encourage parents actively and meaningfully to participate on policy boards and program committees.
Some directors fear sharing program control with parents.
They think that if parents are given too many opportunities for program oversight, their own administrative power and influence will diminish. Frequently, these directors feel that they may lose control of the program, resulting in an inability to administer the program in a manner that will satisfy themselves or their supervisors. To handle this fear, some directors involve only a limited number of parents or hand-pick those from whom they will receive no administrative threats. Therefore, parents feel their personal and collective power diminish. Training can address administrators' fears and concerns about losing program control.