I can't add too much to what ddingus said, but will try to offer just a couple of subtle points.
Maybe this would be different in some other country. But I think parents in the US who expect the school to educate their kids with no oversight or intervention, are leaving too much to chance. Short of homeschooling, there are some specific issues that could fall directly on the shoulders of parents:
1. Preparation of kids starting at age zero.
2. Gauging if your kids are doing well enough by your standards.
3. What happens when things go wrong, e.g., when a kid falls behind or runs into disciplinary problems? So called "involved" parents will either draw on their own instincts, or learn from the network of involved parents, how to guide the school towards a resolution that doesn't involve a lowering of expectations.
Maybe this would be different in some other country. But I think parents in the US who expect the school to educate their kids with no oversight or intervention, are leaving too much to chance. Short of homeschooling, there are some specific issues that could fall directly on the shoulders of parents:
1. Preparation of kids starting at age zero.
2. Gauging if your kids are doing well enough by your standards.
3. What happens when things go wrong, e.g., when a kid falls behind or runs into disciplinary problems? So called "involved" parents will either draw on their own instincts, or learn from the network of involved parents, how to guide the school towards a resolution that doesn't involve a lowering of expectations.