Researchers have been talking about the importance of parent and family involvement/engagement for many years. Here it is 2006 and this concept still seems elusive to achieve in many of our schools. Parent/community involvement is still one of the most promising resources for school improvement. The Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISSLLC) Standard #4 is “A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.” The Standards for Ohio’s Principals have two standards related to parent involvement: "Principals establish and sustain collaborative learning and shared leadership to promote learning and achievement of all students." In the descriptor of this standard, it states:

• Principals promote a collaborative learning culture.
• Principals share leadership with staff, students, parents, and community members.
• Principals develop and sustain leadership.

The next Ohio standard is “Principals engage parents and community members in the educational process and create an environment where community resources support student learning, achievement, and well being.” The descriptors read:

• Principals use community resources to improve student learning.
• Principals involve parents and community members in improving student learning.
• Principals connect the school with the community.
• Principals establish expectations for the use of culturally responsive practices, which value and acknowledge diversity.

The former Ohio Standard recognizes the role of the parent as partner in the decision making and leadership of the school. The latter Ohio Standard speaks more to the leadership a principal exhibits in reaching out and utilizing community resources.