A 1993 Harris poll asked
teachers to identify the issue that should receive the highest priority in public
education policy during the next few years. The teachers cited strengthening parents'
roles in their children's learning as the most important issue (Louis Harris &
Associates, 1993).
A 1989 Gallup poll asked teachers to identify the most important problems facing public schools in their community. "Parents' lack of interest/support" was the most frequently cited problem, ranking substantially ahead of all other problems, including lack of financial support (Elam, 1989, p. 786).
