Hispanic Parents' Attitudes and Participation

This research project focused on the attitudes toward education of Hispanic parents with children in regular and special education classes, and it assessed their level of participation in their children's education. One hundred and eighty Hispanic parents participated in this study; 80 Hispanic parents with children in special education classes and 100 in regular education classes were interviewed. Using a series of questionnaires, the attitudes of Hispanic parents toward education were examined, the parents' level of participation in their child's education was determined, their perceptions of common barriers to participation were assessed and their definition of participation was addressed. The special and regular education groups did not differ in their attitudes toward education. There were no significant relationships between parent participation and education, salary or acculturation. There were, however, significant differences between the two groups in availability of transportation, educational activities at home, attendance at parent meetings, parent-parent contact, involvement with administration and advocacy groups and dissemination of information.