NCJ Number
152918
Journal
Source Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (October 1994) Pages: 1-3
Date Published
1994
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the impact of parents' involvement in their children's education, barriers to such involvement, and how to increase parents' involvement in education.
Abstract
Studies show that parental involvement in education increases students' commitment to their own education. Also, students whose parents are highly involved in their education are less likely to experience various problems in school. Other studies show that problem behaviors such as alcohol use, violence, and antisocial behavior decrease as parental involvement increases. Parental involvement is a strong predictor of levels of involvement in extracurricular and non-school activities. Although family involvement in children's education has been shown to have positive effects on the children, only a minority of youth report that their parents are interested in their schooling; fathers particularly lack involvement. The research identifies some keys that will help increase parental involvement in schooling. One principle is to fit a program to the resources and needs of a community. Innovation must be attempted to involve low-income parents in the schooling of their children. Parents are more likely to connect with schools when they have personal relationships with staff and faculty. Finally, the key is for parents, educators, youth workers, and others in the community to view themselves as members of the team that is working to develop healthy, competent youth.