What is the reason working class parents are 'put off' by schools according to Blackstone and Mortimore?

• A. The middle-class atmosphere that schools give off.
• B. The emphasis on sports.
• C. The lack of parental involvement programs.
• D. The language used in communications.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that schools often feel like spaces built around middle-class ways of doing things, and this atmosphere itself can push working-class parents away. Blackstone and Mortimore explain that when the school environment signals values, customs, and routines that align with middle-class culture—how meetings are run, how success is discussed, how parents are expected to participate—working-class families can sense that they don’t belong or that their contributions aren’t valued. This creates a sense of social distance or alienation, making parents less likely to engage with the school even when opportunities to do so exist.

So the reason the atmosphere matters most is not just about specific programs or demands, but about the overall climate and cultural cues the school gives off. If the environment feels unfamiliar or unwelcoming, parental involvement tends to decline, which is why the middle-class atmosphere is identified as the key factor. The other factors mentioned can play a role, but they’re often manifestations of that same underlying dynamic—an environment that mirrors middle-class norms more than working-class experiences.