Findings from a study on the factors of parental involvement in public education are presented in this paper. Methodology involved school office observations and informal interviews with parents and teachers in one high school, six elementary schools, and three middle schools. Findings indicate that most parents are deterred from involvement in their children's schools because of feelings of inadequacy, prior negative associations with and perceptions of the school, and administrator and teacher attitudes toward parents. A conclusion is that most parents want to be involved, but are inhibited by school practices and administrative/staff perceptions of parents. (18 references) (LMI)