Students Learn Better with Engaged Parents

This one is a giant “Duh” type of a study, but it often helps to state the obvious. A survey of many studies by the National Center for Family and Community Connection with Schools of SEDL reports a convincing link between student achievement and parent involvement.

When parents talk to their children about school, expect them to do well, help them plan
for college, and make sure that out-of-school activities are constructive, their children do
better in school. When schools engage families in ways that are linked to improving learning, students make greater gains. When schools build partnerships with families that respond
to their concerns and honor their contributions, they are successful in sustaining connections
that are aimed at improving student achievement. And when families and communities
organize to hold poorly performing schools accountable, studies suggest that school districts
make positive changes in policy, practice, and resources.

The studies point out an additional important factor: the increase in interaction should not just be between parents and students, but also between the school, the teachers and parents. The more we are all involved in the future development of our children, the stronger the signal that their future is truly important and the more we are aware of the many, fine but significant components that play a role in the growth.