Accounting for Lack of Parental Involvement
Education Levels The education levels for parents of low performing students appears to be the most perplexing barrier and explanation for the lack of parent involvement. The National Center for Educational Statistics (2003) presented data from a study titled Parent Involvement in Education that indicated the percentage of parents who attended a school meeting of function with their child was higher in households among parents who have attained higher educational levels. The report also indicated that the percentage of parents who had completed college and attended a school meeting or event was 93% as compared to those parents who had only completed their high school education was 70%. 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). Research also exhibits that differences in education levels among parents also determines the type and amount of
It’s widely recognised that the more involved parents are in their child’s education, the better the pupil performs at school. Whether, it’s just being aware of their progress and understanding their achievements or parents taking a more active role and becoming involved with the school itself.
Parents in the lower and working social class tend to believe that they can never be too involved in their children’s education. (Pew) This provides an interesting contrast because based off of another survey parents in this class are the least likely to read out loud to their children. This is likely a matter of time management. Parents in this class are often working 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet. These children spend a majority of their childhood in the care of extended family, seeing as most of these families live in poor neighborhoods and childcare is not readily available or affordable. But these parents still feel that their kids should be doing well in school, education is an important part of being able to get better jobs, and if the parents want their children to be able to socially move up in the society than they will be more likely to want to be involved in their children’s education. Based on a survey conducted it was also found that parents of this social class
Family involvement in education can help get families involved in school and knowing what their child is learning
Collective research focusing on family-school partnerships provide an extensive examination of parent involvement. Smith et al., (2011) referred to parent involvement as school, family, and community partnerships for the purpose of shared expectations, responsibilities, interests, and correlating influences of family, school, and community. Epstein’s (2008) framework of parent involvement approached parent involvement typologies from an institutional perspective; the framework for this literature review was conducted with a parental perspective that may positively affect academic achievement among students in 6th – 12th grades attending high poverty, rural schools. An explanation of Epstein’s six categories of parent involvement follows:
Noel, A., Stark, P., Redford, J. (2013). Parent and Family Involvement in Education, From the National Household Education Surveys Program of 2012 (NCES 2013-028), National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch.
It is doubtless that most of parents want their children get a well-rounded education which will lead children to a successful future. Some parents believe that the obligation of educating their children only belong to schools, whereas parental involvement is definitely important to their children’s education. For those parents who are willing to spend money and energy on getting involved into their
It is important to have parents involved with all parents. Research has proven that unless parents and communities are involved in their child educational goals, often time the goals are not met. There are programs that are able to assist parents to assist their child in learning. Many times parents feel that they are failing as parents when their child is struggle academically. Communication is key when dealing with struggling students. Various different modes of communication are necessary. Parents should have an input on how the intervention is being implementing and is it done with fedicaility. Providing education to parents may be needed for them to help their student be
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,
Parent involvement in schools is positive to the extent that the child is encouraged and getting help on their homework when they need it. If the child is neglected the influence that they need from their parents, they would think that there would be no use to study and get good grades. The letter from a ”Concerned Mother” and the article, ”In Defense of Helicopter Parents” by Lisa Belkin from the New York Times, show evidence of parent influence being beneficial to a child. The influence of parents will help encourage their children to not give up, causing their determination to grow. Parent involvement from an early age will affect how they grow up academically.
As discussed above, the extensive research conducted has demonstrated that parental involvement has positive effects on student achievement (Allen, 2005; Epstein et al., 2002; Mapp & Henderson, 2002). A large portion of the research conducted has been influenced by Dr. Joyce Epstein. Dr. Epstein is the director of the Center for School, Family, and Community
The paper also says that parents with higher education level engage more with children both at schools and at home. Is this consistent with the European parents’ statement?
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
Throughout the educational process parents hold a critical role in their child’s school performance. Before I have mentioned there is a positive affected in student’s behaviors when parents are involved. A study done by Nweze in 1993 revealed that students appropriate school behavior increased when parents were involved in the disciple process, were made aware of their roles in the educational process, and encouraged to participate in their child’s education (Autumn, 2001). Research has also shown an inverse correlation between parental involvement and suspension levels (Autumn, 2001). As the parental involvement increased the number of suspensions decreased. This study plays a huge role in the African American community because African American students are more likely to be suspended or expelled than any other ethnic group (Russo & Talbert-Johnson, 1997). There are evidence that indicates that high-achieving, as opposed to low-achieving, poor African American adolescents have parents who are more involved in their education both home and school (Tienda and Kao, 1994)
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.