The Reality and Issues of Parental Participation in School through the Experiences of Parents and Teachers: Focusing on Elementary Schools in Seoul

The main purpose of this study was to explore the current status and key issues of parental participation in school by analyzing the experiences of parents and teachers. To achieve this, focus group interviews were conducted with parents, teachers, and school managers from six elementary schools under the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. The results of the study are as follows. First, a gap existed between parents' and teachers' expectations regarding parental participation in school. Second, for both parents and teachers, parental participation in school was seen as a supportive activity for school education. Third, differing understandings and interpretations were observed among school members concerning the degree of parental participation and communication. Fourth, it was found that parents' participation in school was significantly influenced by parent association executives, school managers, and teachers. Fifth, participants recognized the positive aspects of parental school participation as a meaningful indicator of its educational benefits. Based on the results of this study, discussions and tasks for fostering parents' autonomous participation in schools were presented.