Feature Article
Predicting School Leadership
Interests in Parents of English
Learners: An Exploratory Study
ELIZABETH VERA
AMY HEINEKE
DANIEL CAMACHO
MARLA SUSMAN ISRAEL
NANCY GOLDBERGER
ANGELA CLAWSON
MARTIN HILL
Loyola University Chicago
ANDREA CARR
University of Missouri–Kansas City
This study contributes to the literature on parent involvement
by examining predictors of educational leadership interests of
parents of English learners (ELs). Using a sample of 129 parents
of ELs who represented diverse ethnic backgrounds, the
researchers examined parent leadership interests with survey
research. Parent leadership interests were significantly predicted
by expectations for children’s educational success, encourage-
ment from teachers, and parents’ own level of education. Specif-
ically, parents with lower educational expectations for their
children, who were encouraged to be involved by their chil-
dren’s teachers, and with higher levels of formal education were
more likely to express leadership interests. These data have
implications for how schools could extend outreach efforts to
encourage participation of parents who may see themselves as
less effective leaders.
doi: 10.1002/tesj.236
Parental educational involvement has been documented as
one of the most important predictors of school success for all
students (Smit & Driessen, 2007). Children with more involved
TESOL Journal 0.0, xxxx 2016 1
© 2016 TESOL International Association