Participation of Volunteer Citizens in the Governance of Education, 2000-2003

This mixed methods study of the participation of school governors/school board members as 'volunteer citizens' examined the influence of volunteers within a reformed system of governance across the United Kingdom, designed to enhance public accountability. In particular, it examined their contribution to school effectiveness and the raising of standards, as well as their influence over local national policy-making. Hypothesising that shared understandings and agreements between all the 'stakeholders' in education are the way to enhance public accountability and raise standards, the research studied ways in which volunteers engage in 'dialogic democracy'; how the institutions of the governance of education facilitate or constrain the 'voice' of volunteers; and how volunteers use their social capital in different regional contexts, at a time of conditional change, to make an effective contribution.<br> <br> The research was comparative across the UK, and studied the contribution of governors/school board members to education policy, practice and performance at school level, local level, and national level. Qualitative (interviews and observations of meetings) data were collated and analysed to develop an understanding of theory and practice in this area.<br> <br> A questionnaire survey was administered to all school governors/board members in the five local authorities which formed the focus of study.<br> <br> A programme of interviews was conducted with national-level officials responsible for school governance, local education authority-level officers and members, school-level interviews with chairs, governors, heads and teachers.<br> <br> Finally, observation notes and minutes were taken of school governing body meetings.<br>