Effects Of Parental Involvement On Academic Achievement

Parental involvement may influence a student’s academic success. Parental involvement directly correlates with academic achievement, however while this is statistically significant, it is only a small effect. Rather, parent involvement has a greater relationship with improving student motivation, which then leads to improved academic achievement. Direct parental involvement may be characterized by a parent’s amount of supervision, dreams/aspirations for their child, and school-parent interactions (Fan et al, 2001, p. 3) Improving student motivation may be done by addressing intrinsic motivation, a love of learning, and a motivation to read (Gonzalez-DeHass et al, 2006, p. 101). These effects are supported from articles and research undergone

While parental involvement in the form of aspirations for their children’s educational achievement correlated with a degree of academic achievement, it is more beneficial to find ways to make the child more motivated so they can take advantage of their own learning (Fan et al, 2001, p.17). Students should be motivated to succeed academically for their own benefit, not because of their parents’ dreams and aspirations. Parents can influence their children’s motivation by providing a sense of security and providing support, not relentlessly pushing for academic excellence. When students view parents as models and trusted partners in learning, it helps them assess their own capabilities and performance (Gonzalez-DeHass et al, 2005, p. 118). Parents must appeal to their children’s motivations in order for them to achieve the greatest amount of academic success. This may also be done by communicating the importance of education or taking educational trips in order to show where academics can apply to the real world, which was shown in My Virtual Teen. The virtual parent believed that high school biology might be a challenge for their child, so they attempted an increase of interest in the subject. This was done by going on nature hikes and looking at organisms under a microscope (Manis, 2006). Additionally, when parents show an interest and enthusiasm for what their children are learning, they provide a support system at home that buttresses the child’s academic learning and reinforces the value of schooling (Gonzalez-DeHass et al, 2005,