Master or Comrade: Empowerment Theories and Applications in Parent Organizations of LAUSD

Abstract

Within the service area of the Los Angeles Unified School District, dozens of parent organizations operate, utilizing compelling words like empower, transformation and revolution throughout their mission statements in a district that is facing increasing dropout rates and decreasing college preparatory programs according to the California Department of Education. Central to the research is the understanding that the leadership models employed by the parent organizations directly impacts the parents’ involvement and effectiveness of the organization. This research applies the empowerment and social justice evaluation theories of Freire, Martens, and Gramsci to examine the alignment between the ideology and practice of the parent organizations that serve largely African-American and Latino populations to determine why participation in these organizations has not resulted in the large scale transformation in the public school system sought by the engaged members. The methodologies used include case studies and data analysis of two prominent South Los Angeles organizations examining the materials, websites, organizational transparency and community resources to determine the roles of minority parents in the leadership, democratic principles and equity within the organizations.