Early Parenting and the Reduction of Educational Inequality in Childhood and Adolescence

Socio-economic status (SES) differences in parenting are often implicated in widening the SES-achievement gap. Using nationally representative data (N = 12,887), this study tests for variation across SES in the types and intensity of parenting behaviors utilized and then examines SES differences in the relationship between parenting and student achievement growth from kindergarten through eighth grade. Exploratory factor analysis identifies three dimensions of early parenting: Educational Engagement, Stimulating Parent-Child Interaction, and Discursive Discipline. Regression results indicate that all three dimensions are used most heavily by high-SES families. However, only Educational Engagement consistently predicts achievement growth. Surprisingly, it is positively associated with achievement for lower-, but not higher-SES students in first through eighth grades. Further, Educational Engagement is beneficial for low-SES children because it is particularly beneficial for low-achieving students, consistent with a compensatory hypothesis.