Parent involvement in elementary student academic performance

Reluctance of Parents to Visit the School

Role of Parents in Children's Education

Education has always been a very important part of human existence and has been an inseparable part of human civilization. There has been a lot of development on the education portal and mankind has learned great deal from the education function (Jeynes, 2005). Every milestone which is achieved and every development which is made in any direction is due to the knowledge provided through education. This function has been researched and is very much detailed in terms of style and method. Several researchers and experts have proposed and devised methods which can make education and knowledge imparting more effective and efficient (Hill & Tyson, 2009). Talking about a student at elementary level, it is all the more important to understand the needs of such young individuals and analyze the education function accordingly (Tschannen-Moran and Hoy, 2007). This paper discusses certain aspects of education which are associated with a child's education and particularly studies the role of parents and caretakers in a student's education, and how this participation by parents affects performance of student (Houtenville and Conway, 2007).

Background

There have been many discussions in the direction of elementary education and this has made this whole function very intricate (Aronson, 2012). In early years of its introduction in societal existence, the function of providing knowledge was very basic and simple (Jeynes, 2005). The major aim was to provide knowledge through reading and writing, and there was limited stress laid on the examination and testing part, if so, it was very basic itself. Slowly and steadily, as more and more individuals started becoming aware and more people opted for literacy, the education function became competitive by the passing day and more participation brought in more intensity (Hill & Tyson, 2009). Throughout the last century, there has been a lot of development on the education portal, and this has made the whole function very competitive for every student, and what is more intense is the examination part (Tschannen-Moran and Hoy, 2007).

It carries a detailed pattern of answering and marking, which makes it very difficult for every aspirant, very difficult to overcome and excel it. This whole development brought forth one aspect of this system, and this aspect has been the level of expertise and excellence a person reaches or achieves through this system (Houtenville and Conway, 2007).

Modern education does not simply aims at mere transfer of information, but in fact is much more vivid and detailed than that. It introduces a student to variety of avenues and aims at a more explicit development of a person, stressing on aptitude and personality function. In this function, the role of peers and individuals is often discussed and brought under scanner, which is considered as very vital and decisive for a student (Karen, 2003).

Problem Statement

Researchers and experts in the education function have often given out certain figures which indicate a certain development in the function of knowledge imparting, which is associated with parents and guardians. In these researches, numbers indicate, that parents, who participate in their respective children's education and take interest in knowing the progress of their ward, put a positive impact of the academic performance of their ward (Rosenthal & Sawyers, 2006). It is evident, that when parents discuss certain aspects of their studies and education, the student performs well and excels in many cases (Jeynes, 2005).

There are certain psychological aspects associated with this function, which provide a positive mental conditioning to the ward, and there is a positive advancement made in terms of educational participation. Now, there is a certain critical element associated with this topic, and it is rather unknown as to, till what extent is this statement effective and true (Aronson, 2012). This can only be analyzed by conducting a detailed study and research in this direction, which can establish the effectiveness and solidarity of this statement (Hill & Tyson, 2009).

This problem statement implies towards a critical examination, and detailed evaluation of this problem in order to establish whether the aspect brought forth is true or not. Whether parents actually affect their wards in terms of educational and academic performance? Whether it is true that when parents discuss matters related to educational courses with their children, it actually impacts them psychologically and motivated them to perform better? These questions can only be solved, if there is a detailed evaluation of studies and researches done in this direction, and only then certain conclusions can be drawn and established (Tschannen-Moran and Hoy, 2007).

This also aims towards development communal portal, which aims at promoting collaborative activities, which include students, parents and teachers, in order to promote effective education and outcome. There are many problems and hindrances towards promotion of collaborative functioning of this function, as parents have different affiliations in terms of financial condition and geographical locations (Houtenville and Conway, 2007). These hindrances prevent parents from taking part in their ward's education and interact with the teachers, which is why certain students lag behind in terms of academic fulfillment and excellence. The whole idea is to promote participative activities by parents, who are prevented from playing their role, and take help from technology, towards developing an effective education function (Karen, 2003).

Purpose of Study

There is a lot of ground, which has to be covered and needs to be identified in the direction this topic. For the overall development and consolidated effectiveness of education portal, there needs to be a way to reinforce this function to a great extent. In every practice and process, there are certain areas of improvement which are available to be tapped and developed for better outcome and performance (Rosenthal & Sawyers, 2006). In education function also, there are certain areas, which need effective analysis and implementation in terms of better practices and effort.

This study aims towards finding the missing links in terms of areas of improvement and consolidation, which can make the education function in general more effective, and promote participation of parents, towards their ward's education. It is an established fact that when parents participate in their ward's education, it helps the student in terms of outcome and performance, still there are certain aspects associated with this fact, which need brainstorming (Karen, 2003).

This study takes into consideration, all elements of community education, and understands the role of parents, teachers and students towards this function, and understands the linkages between these elements. Specialization is needed in every function, especially when it is related to life aspects, and this study focuses on bringing forth such findings, which encourage specialization in education function. Apart from parents, teachers and education workers also have a vital role to play, and this is another purpose of this study, which is to find the exact role of education employee in this direction. Also, it is important for parents to know and understand the need to focus on participation (Aronson, 2012).

There are several parents, who take active part in their child's academics, however are unaware about what aspects to focus upon, this is when this study would help them understand and focus on such areas. Other parents, who actually wish to participate in such education-based programs, are unable to do so, due to the highly engaging lifestyle and busy work life. This study focuses on bringing forth certain facts for such parents and encourages them to manage time and also how they would actually do it. Community education programs are the need of the hour and it should be promoted at all levels; elementary and higher. This does not simply help one single individual reach goals, but in fact helps achieve a wider goal of better education function on a much wider scale (Robinson & Fine, 2004).

Significance of Study

This likewise points towards advancement common entry, which goes for advancing shared exercises, which incorporate students, parents and educators, with a specific end goal to advance viable education and conclusion. There are numerous issues and deterrents towards advancement of collective working of this capacity, as parents have diverse affiliations as far as money related condition and topographical areas (Stewart, 2008). These deterrents keep parents from partaking in their ward's education and collaborate with the instructors, which is the reason certain students fall behind regarding scholastic satisfaction and incredibleness. The entire thought is to advance participative exercises by parents, who are kept from assuming their part, and take assistance from innovation, towards creating a compelling education capacity (Robinson & Fine, 2004).

This study looks into, all components of group education, and comprehends the part of parents, educators and students towards this capacity, and comprehends the linkages between these components. Specialization is required in every capacity, particularly when it is identified with life viewpoints, and this study concentrates on delivering such discoveries, which energize specialization in education capacity. Separated from parents, instructors and education specialists likewise have an imperative part to play, and this is an alternate reason for this study, which is to discover the accurate part of education representative in this course (Karen, 2003).

Likewise, it is essential for parents to know and comprehend the need to concentrate on investment. There are a few parents, who take dynamic part in their kid's scholastics, however are ignorant about what perspectives to center upon, this is the point at which this study would help them comprehend and concentrate on such territories (Hardin & Littlejohn, 2004).

Definitions of Key Terms

Community Education: This is one term which is associated with this whole function, and is the core part of this study. Community education is the function in which parents, teachers and students collectively take part and focus on personal development through education. Parents are needed to play vital and more decisive role towards development of their wards by keeping a check on education of their children, which is done by carrying out discussions with teachers (Robinson & Fine, 2004).

Parent Leadership: In a community-based education function, one of the most decisive and vital roles is played by parents, out of all parties involved, and it is the duty of parents to take initiatives towards this direction. Parent leadership implies towards parents being the torchbearer in this direction and making sure they engage with teachers and managing their own time and work routine accordingly. They are also needed to encourage and inspire their wards towards academic participation and sharing of results and curriculum (Hardin & Littlejohn, 2004).

Community Communication: Whenever, there is a certain group, which is developed to work together, one of the most integral functions of the group, is communication. Communication is the means through which all findings and factual readings of group are exchanged. In regards to this study, community communication means the exchange of facts and all aspects regarding education regarding the student. This pertains to the means through which every fact regarding the development and participation of the child is exchanged through the parties involved (Robinson & Fine, 2004).

Monitoring: This pertains to the involvement of parents towards education of their children. Monitoring refers to the participation of parents into the education function of their children, and keeps a check on their child's development and learning curve. This also includes the participation towards imparting certain educational elements, and checking whether their children are progressing towards the right direction (Stewart, 2008).

Research Methodology: Interview

To conduct an unbiased research, it is very important to take into account all aspects of the same. In this study, interview method of research is applied and adopted, because of the interactive capability it offers. An interview helps in gaining access to firsthand experience and responses from respondents, and this is why it is preferred. The data was recorded in the most natural form, and it enabled researcher to understand the topic in better light. Also, it was important to record the data unadulterated and in non-correctional format. Interviews, in a way provide an audio-visual method of recording data, as the body-language of respondents is also vital in understanding the responses. In this research, a sample of 20 parents, whose children were students of middle school were selected for the interview, and all these participants were from mixed backgrounds in terms of financial condition, work category and geographical location.

Interview Questions: (Sample)

Do you interact with your child regarding his/her academic curriculum?

Do you take a look at his/her textbooks?

Do you know what syllabus pattern is being followed by the school/board?

How often do you visit your child's school?

Do you interact with your child's teacher/instructor regarding syllabus/curriculum?

Do you take initiative to visit school on your own? If yes, then how often?

Does your child come to you regarding any query or question regarding study material?

Do you take initiative in helping your child with syllabus/curriculum related queries?

Does your child's school organize interactive sessions? Do you participate in such sessions?

Have you employed any tutor or instructor for your child apart from school hour?

Data Analysis

In the interviews conducted, there have been certain insights which came forth, which are very decisive in making the community education function more effective and reinforced. It is evident from the interview responses, that majority of parents wish to take part in their child's academic functions, however there are only 45% of parents, who are really active on overall scale. In this sample 72% of the respondents (female and male) were working individuals and due to this reason, majority of them could not actively participate in education based activities. It is also seen that, this trend has risen and more female parents are now working, as compared to earlier studies of 2004. Regarding the knowledge about curriculum, it came to knowledge that about 53% of parents had no knowledge about curriculum being followed by school, and had little knowledge about the learning of their ward. 36% parents responded that they had never referred to textbooks and other course material of their ward.

While most of the parents visited their child's school to drop and pick them from the facility, they seldom entered the premises. It was intriguing to know that almost 70% of parents never took initiative to enter the school and interact with teachers/instructors. However, on the bright side of it, almost 79% of parents visited the interaction sessions organized by school authorities, which is a great practice, and was encouraged by researchers. It was also interesting to know that most parents tried to help their children, when they came up with a query, and even referred to internet-based resources to help them; this figure is around 78%.

While most parents relied on the school instruction and teaching method, 36% parents had hired a tutor for their ward. This data points out towards various developments and advancements which can be made towards achieving certain specialization in education function. To improve the participation of parents and improve the figure of 36% in terms of reference of textbooks by parents, certain guidelines are required to be set by the school authorities. It is very important to create an interesting and interactive study pattern for the students, which includes their parents into the framework. Certain trends have pointed towards a depleting trend in terms of participation by parents over the years, in the past decade. Over the years, parents have indulged in activities other than academic and otherwise, and have stayed away from studies of their wards.

When 72% of parents are working in a given sample, it becomes very difficult to indulge in academic activities of their wards, due to the busy work schedule. This lifestyle is already very hectic and full of stress, and the pressure to perform puts them under excessive pressure. There is a need to promote time management function and making complete use of technological functions in this regard. When parents are updated and regularly informed about progress in studies and curriculum, they are bound to take active part.

Almost 30% of working parents responded in favor of adoption of technological measures and communication by school, and wished to participate in such activities, if duly informed about their ward's performance. Some respondents had a view regarding the syllabus and curriculum part, and 52% of parents wanted to be part of discussion with education authorities, who decide the syllabus for students. This, they said would create an initial interest in the education function and it would help them a lot in creating a study-bond with their ward. 60% parents were of the view that there was a need to hold interactive sessions with teachers, more often in order to promote academic communication.

Discussion and Conclusion

Analysts and masters in earlier researches have frequently given out specific figures which demonstrate certain advancement in the capacity of information conferring, which is connected with parents and gatekeepers (Karen, 2003). In previous studies about education, it is denoted that parents, who take an interest in their separate kids' education and take enthusiasm for knowing the advancement of their ward, put a positive effect of the scholarly execution of their ward. It is apparent from our study, that when parents examine certain parts of their studies and education, the student performs well and exceeds expectations as a rule.

There are sure mental viewpoints connected with this capacity, which give a positive mental molding to the ward, and there is a positive headway made regarding educational investment. Presently, there is a sure basic component connected with this subject, and it is somewhat obscure as to, till what degree is this announcement powerful and genuine (Hill & Tyson, 2009). This must be dissected by leading a nitty-gritty study and research in this course, which can create the adequacy and solidarity of this announcement (Houtenville and Conway, 2007).

This issue explanation in our study infers towards a basic examination, and point by point assessment of this issue keeping in mind the end goal to make whether the perspective yielded is genuine or not. It is exceptionally charming to realize that parent's part is extremely definitive in guaranteeing compelling educational capacity. Some extremely amazing figures are talked about in this study and this presents a discriminating nature of research. Stress is laid in heading of student investment and all components; for example, accessibility and time are examined in this respect, in our study. It is highlighted, that comprehension and cooperation on a student's part is similarly essential, for example, parents.

In this study, there are sure angles about instructors which are examined and are esteemed extremely unequivocal in this theme. Earlier studies suggested that separated from parents, instructors are additionally an indispensable piece of the community education capacity, and this study weights on their part in the same (Stewart, 2008). It is found from our study that community education can't capacity and exist without legitimate cooperation from parents, and comprehension their part, helps in keeping up adequacy of this entire capacity (Rosenthal & Sawyers, 2006). An alternate vital part of this entire study, which is frequently disregarded, is the assets which are given by the school and powers (Tschannen-Moran and Hoy, 2007). In this study, the procurements of school are examined, and it is broke down if schools are attempting genuine endeavors to advance support by parents, and what are the proposals in this respect (Jeynes, 2005).