The influence of parental involvement on academic achievement

 

The influence of parental involvement on academic achievement


Introduction

Parental involvement in a child’s education plays a very important role in academic achievement. It is considered as one of the crucial factors by educators, education policy makers and academic administrators. This article explores the multifaceted relationship between parental involvement and student outcomes, examining the various ways in which parents can positively impact their children's educational experiences. By considering the observations and theoretical work of similar papers, it is found that parental involvement influences academic success of the student. From an ecological perspective, there is significant pressure in today’s society to strengthen the linkages between home and school environments to positively influence childhood outcomes.[1] While research has heavily focused on the impact of parental involvement on children’s academic achievement, minimal attention has been given to exploring the influence that such practices may have on other stakeholders, such as parents and teachers. This study aims to better understand the impact of parental involvement on childhood outcomes, parental well-being, and parent-teacher relationships.

However, the impact of parental involvement on student academic achievement is considered weakest if parental involvement was defined as homework assistance. The strength of that relationship varies based on the type of assessment used to measure student achievement.[2]

 

Theoretical Framework

There is a strong belief in society that parental involvement has a strong positive effect on students’ academic performance. Student learning not only takes place in schools but also the contexts of families and communities play a great role (Ma, Shen, Krenn, Hu & Yuan, 2016). Therefore, parental involvement is seen as quite significant in students’ learning and academic achievement.[3]

The connection between parental involvement and academic achievement can be explored through various theoretical lenses. One prominent perspective is Social Learning Theory, which suggests that children learn by observing and imitating the behaviors of significant others, including their parents. When parents demonstrate a positive attitude towards education and engage in academic activities themselves, they serve as powerful role models, inspiring their children to follow suit.

Another relevant theory is Expectancy-Value Theory. This framework suggests that individuals are more likely to engage in activities that they believe they can succeed in and that they find valuable. Parental involvement can shape children's expectations for academic success by providing support, encouragement, and resources. Additionally, parents can help their children perceive education as valuable and meaningful by emphasizing its importance and connecting it to future goals.

 

Empirical Evidence

A vast body of research supports the positive association between parental involvement and academic achievement. Studies have consistently shown that children with involved parents tend to have higher grades, better test scores, and improved academic performance overall. Furthermore, parental involvement has been linked to increased student motivation, higher self-esteem, and reduced dropout rates.

The expectations placed on school professionals have continued to grow and expand, with school being responsible for addressing academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of students no matter what issues they face in their home. Academic achievement is an important aspect of a student’s life that is influenced by a number of compounding factors interacting with each other on a daily basis. Amongst all of these factors, researchers still debate which factors have the largest impact on the academic achievement of students. [4] Therefore, the specific ways in which parental involvement can influence academic achievement are considered in this study. For example, parents can provide direct academic support by helping with homework, tutoring, or reading together. They can also foster a positive home learning environment by creating a designated study space, limiting distractions, and ensuring access to necessary resources. Additionally, parental involvement in school activities, such as attending parent-teacher conferences and volunteering, can strengthen the school-home connection and create a sense of belonging for the child.

Mechanisms of Influence

While the empirical evidence is clear, understanding the underlying mechanisms through which parental involvement influences academic achievement is essential. Several key factors may contribute to this relationship:

  • Positive Expectations: Parental involvement can foster positive expectations for academic success, leading to increased motivation and effort.
  • Enhanced Self-Efficacy: Children with involved parents may develop a stronger belief in their ability to succeed academically, which can positively impact their performance.
  • Improved School-Home Connection: Parental involvement can strengthen the bond between home and school, creating a more supportive and nurturing environment for the child.
  • Increased Access to Resources: Involved parents can provide their children with access to educational resources, such as books, tutoring, and extracurricular activities.
  • Modeling Positive Behaviors: Parents who demonstrate a positive attitude towards education and engage in academic activities themselves can serve as role models for their children.

 

Literature Review

According to the study Effect of Parental Involvement on Children’s Academic Achievement in Chile, 2019, author concludes that parental involvement in school has been demonstrated to be a key factor for children’s academic outcomes. The result in the study shows that there were differences in academic achievement scores between the parent involvement profiles, where high and medium involved parents had children with higher academic achievement than low involved parents. In this context, Chile has acknowledged the importance of collaborative relationships between parents and schools leading to the development a National Policy for Father, Mother and Legal Guardian Participation.

In another study Parent involvement and student academic performance: A multiple mediational analysis, 2011, examines two potential mechanisms of this association: the child's perception of cognitive competence and the quality of the student-teacher relationship. In this study, researchers have reported that parent-child interactions, specifically stimulating and responsive parenting practices, are important influences on a child's academic development.

Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that parents who have a positive attitude towards their child's education, school, and teacher are able to positively influence their child's academic performance by two mechanisms: (a) by being engaged with the child to increase the child's self-perception of cognitive competence and (b) by being engaged with the teacher and school to promote a stronger and more positive student-teacher relationship.

Study conducted by Ibrahima Naite in his research paper Impact of Parental Involvement on Children’s Academic Performance at Crescent International School, Bangkok, Thailand, 2021 reveals that students with highly involved parents had better academic performance and higher test scores in all the subjects compared to students whose parents were not involved in their education. The findings, suggested that parents should grow more awareness on the importance of visiting and supporting their children in school. It was also recommended that parents should take an active role in assisting their children’s education at school and at home since they are the first teachers of their children.

 

Recommendations based on the study

1) Promote Active Parental Engagement:

·       Encourage parents to actively participate in school activities, workshops, and events.

·       Foster open communication channels between parents and teachers to discuss student progress and address any concerns.

2) Provide Clear Expectations:

·       Schools should clearly communicate expectations for parental involvement.

·       Highlight the importance of consistent attendance, monitoring homework, and attending parent-teacher conferences.

3) Tailor Strategies to Diverse Families:

·       Recognize that different families have varying levels of availability and cultural norms.

·       Offer flexible involvement options (e.g., volunteering during evenings or weekends) to accommodate diverse schedules.

4) Emphasize Home-School Partnerships:

·       Collaborate with parents to create a supportive learning environment at home.

·       Share resources (such as reading materials or educational apps) that parents can use with their children.

5) Acknowledge Parental Contributions:

·       Celebrate and recognize parents’ efforts in supporting their child’s education.

·       Highlight success stories and positive outcomes resulting from parental involvement.

 

References:

[1] Epping, K. A. (2018). The impact of parental involvement on students’ academic achievement, parental well-being, and parent-teacher relationships.

[2] Wilder, S. (2023). Effects of parental involvement on academic achievement: a meta-synthesis. In Mapping the field (pp. 137-157). Routledge.

[3] Erdem, C., & Kaya, M. (2020). A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Parental Involvement on Students' Academic Achievement. Journal of Learning for Development7(3), 367-383.

[4] Avnet, M., Makara, D., Larwin, K. H., & Erickson, M. (2019). The Impact of Parental Involvement and Education on Academic Achievement in Elementary School. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education8(3), 476-483.

[5] Lara, L., & Saracostti, M. (2019). Effect of parental involvement on children’s academic achievement in Chile. Frontiers in psychology10, 1464.

[6] Cole, S. A. (2017). The impact of parental involvement on academic achievement (Doctoral dissertation, Northcentral University).

[7] Topor, D. R., Keane, S. P., Shelton, T. L., & Calkins, S. D. (2010). Parent involvement and student academic performance: A multiple mediational analysis. Journal of prevention & intervention in the community38(3), 183-197.

[8] Naite, I. (2021, March). Impact of parental involvement on children’s academic performance at crescent international school, Bangkok, Thailand. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 690, No. 1, p. 012064). IOP Publishing.


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