In study after study, researchers discover how important it is for
parents to be actively involved in their child's education. Here are
some of the findings of major research into parental involvement:
When parents are involved in their children's education at home,
they do better in school. And when parents are involved in school,
children go farther in school - and the schools they go to are better.
The family makes critical contributions to student achievement from
preschool through high school. A home environment that encourages
learning is more important to student achievement than income, education
level or cultural background.
Reading achievement is more dependent on learning activities in the
home than is math or science. Reading aloud to children is the most
important activity that parents can do to increase their child's chance
of reading success. Talking to children about books and stories read to
them also supports reading achievement.
When children and parents talk regularly about school, children
perform better academically.
Three kinds of parental involvement at home are consistently
associated with higher student achievement: actively organizing and
monitoring a child's time, helping with homework and discussing school
matters.
The earlier that parent involvement begins in a child's educational
process, the more powerful the effects.
Positive results of parental invlovement include improved student
achievement, reduced absenteeism, improved behavior, and restored
confidence among parents in their children's schooling.