The Impact of Parent Involvement in Student Success
Admin September 22, 2024
Education begins at home. The responsibility
to socialize and educate children is a shared obligation between parents and
schools. In order for a child to reach academic achievement, parents must be
involved and participate in the educational process. The more parental
involvement, the more students are likely to become productive members of
society as well as excel in academics. Parental involvement impacts student
academics. The objective of the investigation is to examine the impact of
parental involvement in academics and the extent of the parental participation
in their child's education. Thus, the transition from being home to elementary
school can be a stressful experience
Parental involvement is
crucial to a child’s academic development. Since parents have direct control of
children, their care and their influence on their children’s daily routines
significantly impact their learning,
behavior, social and emotional progress, and leadership and problem-solving
skills.
Significance of parental
involvement
Students
with involved parents tend to perform better academically than those without
such involvement. Parental involvement is linked to students’ improved
attitudes toward school and better behavior in the classroom. Moreover,
parental involvement helps to build strong parent-child relationships and
foster a sense of security. A disconnect between the school and parents
negatively affects students’ academic standards.
Parental
involvement in education has a long-lasting impact on children’s education and
on the positive development of the school itself. Their involvement can take
many forms, including volunteering, attending parent-teacher conferences and
participating in school decision-making processes.
School
leaders, teachers, parents and the community all contribute to children’s
academic success. When parents are involved in school activities and
events, it fosters better communication and collaboration between parents,
teachers, and school administrators. This can lead to the development of more
effective teaching strategies, tailored interventions for struggling students,
and a better understanding of student needs, all of which can lead to the
school’s improvement and development.
Though
children often spend more time with teachers than with their parents, education
is still viewed as the central responsibility of parents and guardians. Lack of
parental involvement has been a great concern for many schools in recent years,
and improving parental involvement may lead to positive development in multiple
areas including improving the quality of education, enforcing disciplinary
measures, and building relationships with families and communities.
It
is important that schools actively engage parents in decision-making processes
and create opportunities for families to participate in school activities. For
example, schools can update parents regularly with information on their
children’s academic progress and strategies, which may help parents support
children’s learning at home. Research studies find a positive correlation
between parental involvement and academic achievement across all grade levels,
and it is most effective when it is focused on academics and general
involvement in school activities.
The history of parental
involvement
According
to a 2016 report from the U.S. Department of Education, parental involvement
was actively encouraged by the 1960s and 1970s, when there was a movement
toward greater parental involvement in education.
With
the introduction of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in
1975, parental involvement became mandatory in the education of children with
disabilities. This legislation recognized the importance of parental
involvement in the education of all children, which paved the way for increased
parental involvement in schools. According to the USDOE report, the percentage
of students whose parents participated in the meetings at their child’s school
increased from 72% in 1996 to 89% in 2016.
Fostering increased parental
involvement
Parental
involvement not only improves children’s academic achievement but also has a
positive impact on the whole community. Actions that increase parental
involvement may include the creation of programs that connect parents, such as
the creation of family collaboration networks. These networks can build a
strong partnership between parents and teachers, providing tools and guidance
for families to help children complete their homework and other school
activities.
Through
networking, parents can share valuable resources and information related to
education, such as recommended tutors, scholarship opportunities, writing
contests, educational smartphone apps, study techniques and extracurricular
opportunities. This exchange of knowledge can help parents better support their
children’s learning needs.
Teachers
play a crucial role in increasing parental involvement by maintaining close
ties with families and creating open lines of communication to keep them
updated with the latest educational developments at school.
Improving
parental involvement requires school administrators to communicate with parents
regularly and build networks and programs that incentivize parental
involvement. Creating a welcoming and inclusive school environment encourages
parents to actively participate in school activities and events.
Schools
can organize orientation programs for new parents, provide volunteer
opportunities and involve them in decision-making processes. For example,
schools can present workshops, seminars or information sessions aimed at
educating parents about the importance of their involvement in their children’s
education. These programs can also provide parents with strategies and
resources to support their children’s learning at home.
Parents as role models
Parents,
who model positive behavior and emphasize the importance of good conduct at
home, school and community, contribute to their children’s understanding of
appropriate behavior at school. Children learn what they live and often emulate
the behavior they observe in their parents. Parents who are involved in their
children’s education are more likely to support school initiatives such as
fundraising efforts, volunteering or advocating for policy changes. This can
help schools implement new programs more effectively, which leads to school
improvement.
Parental
engagement in education during the early childhood years is one of the key
strategies that school leaders could use to close the achievement gap among
students. Consistency between home and school environments reinforces
behavioral expectations, contributing to a more stable and positive school
experience for the child. When parents become supportive of their children by
helping to resolve issues such as preparing for tests and selecting the right
courses, they empower them with skills in conflict resolution.
Parents
who communicate regularly with teachers and actively monitor their children’s
progress are better equipped to address behavioral issues promptly. Children
who feel emotionally supported at home tend to exhibit fewer behavioral
problems at school, which leads to a positive attitude toward learning.
Moreover, parents’ involvement in resolving children’s behavioral issues, such
as withdrawal and anxiety symptoms, helps teachers and administrators to resolve
those problems before they develop further.
Parental involvement promotes
academic achievement
Children
with involved parents are more likely to exhibit positive attitudes toward
school, higher levels of school attendance, and fewer disciplinary issues.
Parental involvement fosters a sense of connection and belonging within the
school community, which encourages children to engage actively in their
education.
When
parents are engaged in their child’s c, they often set higher standards
and expectations for academic performance, which can motivate children to
strive for success.
Collaborative
partnerships between parents, schools, and teachers are essential for student
success. Involved parents communicate regularly with teachers, attend
parent-teacher conferences, and participate in school events, allowing them to
stay informed about their children’s academic growth and work together with
educators to address academic needs.
Children
generally feel more comfortable discussing their learning challenges with their
parents than with their teachers. Learning can thus be more effective in a
relaxed environment when parents assist students with homework and discuss
various matters related to their education. Moreover, children improve school grades
when parents provide assistance at home, which benefits adolescents across all
races and ethnic groups.
Positive effects of parental
involvement
Academic success: Research shows that students with
involved parents tend to perform better academically, have higher attendance
rates, and exhibit more positive attitudes toward school.
Social and emotional well-being: Parental involvement contributes
to children’s social and emotional development by providing them with a strong
support system and nurturing environment, leading to higher self-esteem and
resilience.
Positive school culture: Schools with high levels of
parental involvement often have a more positive and supportive school culture,
fostering collaboration between teachers, parents and students, enhancing
overall school effectiveness.
How to improve parental
involvement
Communication: Establish clear and effective
communication channels between parents and schools, such as newsletters, emails
and parent-teacher conferences to keep parents informed about their child’s
progress and school activities.
Family engagement activities: Organize family-oriented
events and activities, such as family nights, literacy workshops or cultural
celebrations to create opportunities for parents to engage with their child’s
school and participate in their learning journey.
Technology integration: Utilize technology platforms and
digital tools to facilitate communication and engagement between parents and
schools, such as parent portals, online forums or mobile apps for accessing
school information and resources.