The Importance of Parental Involvement and Support in a Child's Education
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2020-05-10
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Masters of Education
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Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of parental involvement and support in a child’s education. There were two groups of middle school students that participated in the study. Each group received a letter requesting parents complete the activity presented. One group (n=18) received the task of completing 10-15 minutes of academic time with their child. The other group (n=16) received the task of completing a 10-15 minute discussion about their child’s educational goals. Student’s ILA (Integrated Language Arts) and math grades prior to the study were compared to their grades in those classes after the study. A qualitative review of the data did not indicate there was a difference in academic achievement between children whose parents spent academic time with their child and spent the time holding a goal setting discussion. With only four total students participating in the activity requested, the study began to focus more on parent participation, or lack thereof, and the implications of that. And even further, these types of activities may not be happening in homes without the guidance of a teacher or school system. Observational data showed multiple reasons for the lack of participation, including that the study relied on students bringing the form home to parents. Further research should focus on providing families executable strategies for home that will benefit the student.