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The family-school relation and the child's school performance
1Department of Sociology, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064.
Child Development
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Parental involvement in education positively impacts student performance. Higher maternal education and younger child age correlate with increased parental engagement, especially for boys.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of Education
- Developmental Psychology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Parental involvement is a key factor in children's academic success.
- Understanding the predictors of parental engagement is crucial for educational interventions.
- Previous research suggests a link between family background and school performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between parental involvement in schooling and child's academic performance.
- To test hypotheses regarding maternal education, child age, and parental involvement.
- To investigate gender differences in the predictors of parental involvement.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a nationally representative sample of American households.
- Collected data from 179 children, parents, and teachers.
- Employed cross-sectional data analysis to test hypotheses.
Main Results:
- Confirmed that higher maternal educational status is associated with greater parental involvement.
- Found that younger children receive more parental involvement in school activities.
- Demonstrated a positive correlation between parental involvement and child's school performance.
- Observed that maternal education and child age are stronger predictors of involvement for boys than girls.
- No direct effect of maternal education on school performance was found independent of parental involvement.
Conclusions:
- Parental involvement significantly mediates the relationship between maternal education and child's school performance.
- Child's age and maternal educational background are important determinants of parental engagement.
- Findings highlight the interconnectedness of family dynamics and educational outcomes.
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