School is a time for countless physical, cognitive, emotional and social changes. The complexities of the school structure and demands for learning make academic achievement hard for many children. Parental involvement in student learning is a propeller that pushes children forward into their potential. Parents can promote successful school outcomes for their children by helping them to develop positive learning habits at home.
Parental Conversation
Parental conversation with children regarding academics and school experiences is consistently connected to higher student achievements. Grades, standardized test scores, teacher ratings and a variety of other measures are all higher for students with parents who are actively involved in their child's education regardless of race or social class. University of New Hampshire researcher Karen Smith Conway says per-pupil spending would need to increase by $1,000 to achieve the same results as this type of parental involvement.
Parental Style
Demonstrative aspects of parental involvement such as implementing household rules and parental attendance and participation in school functions affect student achievement less than parental style, according to Harvard Family Research Project. Of the three common parental styles -- authoritarian, authoritative and permissive -- authoritative styles that allow children to be independent while giving limits and controls to actions tend to produce high academic achievement cross-culturally. This is especially true in authoritative fathers who are also responsive and warm.
Expectations
Parental expectations of student achievement and clear communication have the largest effect on the academic outcomes of children. Ongoing research by the National Educational Longitudinal Study found that a child's perception of parental expectation increased his personal expectation of academic success. The result was more time devoted to study and higher academic achievement in high school and post-secondary attainment. Secondary students achieved more when they knew parents were interested in their studies and what they expected.
Support
Parents can support the learning and achievements of their children and help to promote positive outcomes in numerous ways. Parent-child family time that explores shared interests is a great way to discuss school life and any possible academic pressures your child has been facing. The Harvard Family Research Project also recommends that parents encourage homework and reading, discuss education planning and build relationships with teachers early to teach children the value of education early on.
References
- Science Daily; Parental Involvement Strongly Impacts Student Achievement; May 2008
- Harvard Family Research Project; Parental Involvement and Student Achievement: A Meta-Analysis; William Jeynes, Dec. 2005
- International Journal of Academic Research; Parental Style and Academic Achievement Among the Students; S. Kazmi et al; March 2011
- Harvard Family Research Project; Adolescence: Are Parents Relevant to Students' High School Achievement and Post-Secondary Attainment?; Evanthia Patrikakou; Sept. 2004
