Research Proposal for Academic Achievement and Parental Involvement

The fact that African American students lag several years behind their White peers in math and reading continues to be a persistent problem in America’s public schools – a critical issue that should not be ignored in any meaningful discourse on community, literacy and public schools. The wide body of relevant research reveals many causal factors and correlates including race, socioeconomic standing, social class, teacher competence and perceptions, quality of schools, etc. It is also generally acknowledged that there is a direct, positive correlation between greater parental involvement and student academic achievement. The particular focus of this paper is on the question of to what extent parental involvement – or lack thereof- influences the academic performance of African American students. I will argue that African American student underachievement is, to a significant degree, likely to be attributable to lack of active parental guidance and involvement. The variety of factors that impact parental involvement, particularly that of parents of non-dominant backgrounds, will be examined in order to demonstrate the need for schools and teachers to diversify the approach generally taken to collaborating with parents, such that it becomes a more meaningful, inclusive and relevant process for these parents. In closing, I will draw on an interview conducted with the parents of an

The research by Ralph McNeal proposes a theoretical model that separates parent involvement into two practices: (1) linking parents to children (Parent-child relationship) and (2) linking parents to other adults (Parent-Parent relationship) in the school environment. The researcher hypothesizes that parent-child (i.e. discussion and monitoring) and parent-school (i.e. educational support strategies and Parent Teacher Organization involvement) practices will differentially affect student attitudes (educational expectations), behaviors (absenteeism, homework, truancy), and achievement (math and science). Using a national survey conducted in the United States of schools and students, the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS: 88), the research findings confirm that parent-child and parent-school involvement practices differentially influence student attitudes and behaviors, thereby indirectly affecting student achievement (Jr, 2014).From this body of research, it can be concluded that increasing parental involvement within the African American population can increase student achievement thereby reducing the Black-White academic achievement

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:

How does parent involvement affect children’s academic success in low socioeconomic areas? Does socioeconomic status and parental involvement play a major role in the academic success of teens? Many reasons can contribute to the low level of success of some teens. The thrilling memoir, The Other Wes Moore, provides readers with two scenarios, one resulting in success, and one resulting in failure. Teen’s who are raised in low socioeconomic areas, and who have a minimal level of parental involvement, tend to perform poorly in academic settings.

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.

The authors raise the importance of using scientific methods of inquiry in non-scientific fields in drawing valid conclusions. This is exemplified by the negligible influence that actions taken by parents have on children's' academic outcomes. Utilizing data from the U.S. Department of Education, the authors examined the correlative relationship between a child's academic success and a plethora of variables related to the child's life; race and economic status of the parents, birth weight, and hours of television watched, to name a few. The authors concluded that the variables most directly correlated with academic success were what the parents were, such as how intelligent they were, and less what the parents did, like reading to children. This conflicts with what normative reasoning would argue: of course parenting should affect a child's outcome. However, the authors used regression analysis, which artificially holds constant every variable except the two they wished to focus on, and it displayed a different story. This illustrates the difference between the analyzing the world as it is and analyzing it with previously held notions of how it should

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

The authors asked the question if parental involvement in children ages 14 acts as a mediator between family resources and education level. The authors used a structural equation model to analyze longitudinal survey and register data of a Swedish metropolitan cohort born in 1953 (n=3300). The parental involvement indicators used were educational aspirations, reading children’s schoolbooks, agreement with school curriculum, and assisting with homework. These indicators were used to examine the differences between parents’ involvement beliefs. The paper’s results revealed that parent’s educational aspirations are an important mediator between family resources and education level. The paper further revealed that families with greater resources also are more involved with their children’s education and that less resources can become an obstacle for

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

"Research has clearly proven that student achievement improves when parents are involved in their child's education" (2010). When an education system comes together with the family of their students, the children tend to have a better understanding of the importance of school and working their best to become as educated as they can be. Students who have not involved parents may feel that they are at school only to be away from their parents. There are many reasons why children drop out of school so it is the job of the school system and families to do whatever it takes to get the student involved in their education. Once the student knows that everyone around them is supporting their educational needs they are more likely to have a positive outlook towards school. When they then become a parent they are more likely willing to be a partner in their future children's educational experiences because of their positive attitude towards learning.

After the intro, the authors geared the information toward the fundamentals of successful parent involvement which included three sections that had different techniques for educators. In two of the sections there were tables that included modes and frequencies of communication and different activity ideas that teachers can host to involve parents. For example, one activity was “Family and Friend Breakfasts.” This would be where parents or other family members or friends could come and eat breakfast in the classroom while being served by the students. This is a great way to show appreciation to parents and develop positive rapport. Overall, the findings were beneficial in the sense that I can use the information provided in this article for my own practice. Among the abundance of research provided, there was also much insight integrated. An important insight from the authors was for educators to remember that parents and teachers have a common goal no matter what differences may appear. I aspire to be a teacher that respects the parents of my students and provides ample opportunities to make them feel a part of my classroom and their child’s education. The strategies for successful parent involvement conveyed in this article will help me to better achieve this aspiration for the optimal success of my

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

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.