Participation of families in schools. A right under construction

In Spain, parents have the right to participate in schools. However, this right is under construction as it is unsatisfactory in two respects: concerning its application on the part schools and education authorities, and concerning the degree of compliance on the part of families. Parents do not truly participate in schools. They only do so formally: that is, by holding some assigned seats in school councils, where they one at most informed and consulted. That is as far as their participation goes. Teachers' mistrust places parents in a situation of inequality within the school community. It is therefore critical that legislation regulates in detail what the parents' right of participation consists in. Such legislation ought to foster, on the one hand, educational policies that help overcome the existing gap between teachers and parents in matter of school governance, and, on the other, the involvement and collaboration of parents in their children's education.