It has long been known that parental involvement in their children’s education makes a big difference to their academic progress, and a major review of research on parental involvement found that the impact of parents on pupil achievement was, in fact, far greater than that of schools in the primary years, and was still an important factor at secondary level. The most crucial factor was the extent and quality of parental engagement with their children at home.
It has long been known that parental involvement in their children’s education makes a big difference to their academic progress, and a major review of research on parental involvement found that the impact of parents on pupil achievement was, in fact, far greater than that of schools in the primary years, and was still an important factor at secondary level. The most crucial factor was the extent and quality of parental engagement with their children at home.
The research reviewers found that the most important element of parental involvement is the relationships they have with their children – the interest they show and the conversations they have. For younger children parental help and time with developing school-related skills (reading and number skills for example) as well as the psychological qualities of motivation (being encouraged to work hard) and of self worth (believing they are good at doing some things). For old children at secondary age the issues are mainly to do with parents encouraging children in motivation to achieve. A recent Scottish Survey by Market Research UK showed a large number of children experience a lack of support at home. Although the majority (56%) of the parents said they spent at least one hour a week reading with their children, with 32% doing more than an hour, 35% said they spent less than an hour reading with their children. The research did show that lower levels of material support tended to happen in materially poorer households. However, the review of research did find that social class and socio-economic factors generally have far less impact on pupil achievement that levels of parental involvement. Spending money is not the important thing parents can do for their children – but spending time is !
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