Parental and staff member perceptions of lab school functions and program quality

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine parental and staff member perceptions of the three-part mission commonly associated with child development laboratory schools, and how this mission impacts the program services being provided for enrolled children. Subjects were 363 parents of children enrolled in one of 15 lab schools, as well as 63 staff members working in these 15 programs. Although parents and staff members viewed lab school functions as having a somewhat positive or minimal impact on program quality, analyses revealed several significant differences in these perceptions based on the type of programs offered and their sponsoring institutions. Implications are drawn from the data for lab school programs.