The Effects of Parental Involvement
Parental involvement is essential to academic achievement of students and correlates to student success (Emeagwali, 2009). Research demonstrates that parental attitudes and behaviors are in turn influenced by involvement with schools (Epstein, 1991; Epstein et al., 2009; Henderson & Berla, 1994; Swap, 1993). When parents’ positive attitudes are transmitted to children they serve to shape children’s school achievement (Comer, 1986; Herman & Yeh, 1983). Furthermore, parental involvement produces changes in students’ attitudes and parents who are involved have a better view of schools than parents who are not involved (Epstein, 1986).
Some positive effects of parent involvement are: an increased school attendance, better perceptions of the school and higher academic achievement (Greenwood & Hickman, 1991). In Epstein’s vision (2001), parents are considered key players in the process of a student’s education. Moreover, education begins before formal schooling, and parents are recognized as a child’s first educator.
The importance of building positive relationships between home and school are underlined by Lightfoot (1978) as cited in Odum Herrell (2011). He stated:
Productive collaborations between family and school will demand that parents and teachers recognize the critical importance of each other’s participation in the life of a child. This mutuality of knowledge, understanding, and empathy comes not only with the recognition of the
An obstacle I have witnessed in my school is the lack of parental involvement. Throughout this year, I believe the parents' investment in their children education has been disheartening. I can say in my own classroom, nearly one-third of student’s parents have no idea how they are doing in school academically. About one-sixth of student’s parents don’t sign daily agendas or notes that are sent home. Only about one-fifth of parents consistently attend school programs. My biggest concern is that too many parents are disengaged. Parent involvement can indeed make a difference in a child’s education. Students would perform better academically and behaviorally if their
Additionally, parent involvement is also an important factor that contributes to how well students do in school and whether or not they graduate. According to the Michigan Department of Education, “decades of research show that when parents are involved students have higher grades, test scores, graduation rates, better school attendance, increased motivation,
According to Meredith Maran, parental involvement is one of the key elements in students’ success. Parental help and involvement can improve children’s chances of having better futures. I totally agree with the author. Our parents are so important on our ways to success. Both schools and students need parental involvement to ensure better futures. It is obvious that involvement from parents can increase students’ chances of success. In addition, the wise ways to devote time and money are
The parent group unanimously responded that parent involvement definitely impacts student achievement. Grandparent JY stated “I think parent involvement can impact learning. I have never really been involved and my children struggled through school.” Additionally, responses consistently revealed that parent involvement not only impacts student achievement, but motivates and encourages students to achieve and succeed while building self-confidence and self-esteem. Eighth grade parent AM stated “I think it can encourage the student and lets them know you want to be involved. It gives the child a little more motivation to do well and lets them know you care enough to be
More recently, the United States Department of Education, by submitting the 1996 proposal for National Education Goals, addressed the issue of parental involvement. The official U.S. government stood by the research of three decades that “parental participation in schooling improves student learning,” (U.S. Department of Education). Based on government research, family involvement programs don’t always need additional money to be successful, but leaders should stretch their own creativity to expand the programs that encourage community and family support. Parental involvement is found to be beneficial through high school, not stopping after elementary school, and parents that evolve as leaders should be encouraged to continue their role in their child’s education. The most successful parent leaders are found to play four roles in their child’s education: those roles are teacher, supporter, advocate and decision maker. The teacher-role supplements the child’s education at home, the supporter contributes his/her skills to the school, the advocate helps children receive fair treatment at home, and the decision maker participates in joint problem-solving with
Although it is important for families to be involved with their child’s school, school personnel should also strive to create a positive interaction with families of students. Carl Dunst (2002) states that school and parent collaboration is necessary, and if schools take on a more family-centered approach, it will help create a supportive environment and help to strengthen a family’s capacity to enhance and promote a child’s development and learning.
Parent involvement is necessary for students to succeed. Some cultures tend to view teachers as the experts and leave educational decisions to them. This can give the false impression that parents do not care about education. In American culture, parents take a more active role in their child’s education. They might volunteer in classrooms and help out when needed.
Majority of school or community based educators hold the opinion that one of the major challenges that they face is getting parents or guardians to be engaged in the education activities of their child consistently. However, in spite of this challenge, educators have a deep desire for parents becoming more engaged in their children's education. Research has also indicated the benefits of parental engagement on the educational outcome of students. In addition, socioeconomic factors also play a huge role in the way the students are going to perform in class, including their language and literacy development. When parents and the community from where the students come from are engaged in supporting their education, this facilitates the students
Parental involvement in education is a vital essential for creating a cooperative environment for the student to thrive and succeed in. When a student knows that he or she is receiving support both inside and outside the school, the chances of that child becoming responsible for and active in their education are more likely. I know that there can be difficulties including parents for many reasons. Such parents may be too busy, uninterested or just feel helpless. However, as an educator, I will still have an obligation to reach out to these parents and assist them.
Parent involvement and parenting styles are different all over the world, and it could have a negative or positive impact on a child’s academic achievement. Based on research on parent involvement, it seemed that “what parents did at home with their children mattered more than what parents did to help them at school” (Ripley, 2013, p.109). For example, when parents volunteer in their child’s extracurricular activities and attend school events, it has little impact on how much their child learned. However, when parents engaged their child in thoughtful
Various reasons have been identified for why parents and other family members might fail to become adequately involved in the schooling of their children. For example, as reported by DePlanty, et al. (2007) studies have indicated that some parents tend to become less involved when their children grow into adolescence. This is believed to be due to parents feeling that their involvement is less important with older children, as well as the feeling that adolescents need more independence than younger children. Other findings have suggested that parents will be less involved in their children’s schoolwork if they lack sufficient social networks. There have also been research indications that school involvement is related to the educational level of the parents (DePlanty, et al, 2007). In addition, Christenson & Sheridan (2001) note that stereotypical attitudes among both parents and educators contribute to creating barriers between home and school.
Historically, parents were extremely involved in their children’s education. Back before one-class schools, a child’s education was in the hands of their parents (Anguiano, 2004). Parental involvement began to decrease during the mid-1800s when cities began to see urban and industrial developments, creating a separation between families and schools (Anguiano, 2004). Although over the course of decades the gap between schools and families has increased, the need for parental involvement continues to be constant. According to McCormick and Ozuna (2012), decades of research demonstrate a positive correlation between the level of parental involvement and student achievement. Epstein and Dauber (1991) as
Henderson and Mapp (2002) suggests that research strongly supports the notion that parent involvement has a positive and lasting effect on student performance and academic success. Yet, an increasing number of parents have developed a mindset that they are incompetent and unable to assist their child when it comes to academics and school related activities (Forman, 2006). Unfortunately, parents of disadvantaged students attending high poverty schools are more likely to believe they cannot assist their child academically and are less involved as compared to their counterparts attending low poverty schools (Cotton & Wikelund, 2001).
The purpose of this report is to show how parental involvement is important when children are learning in order to provide positive outcomes. It will include research, showing the importance of a positive home learning environment.