Research that benefits children and families – Uplifting Stories: Option 1

Week 3 blog: Option 1:

Research that benefits children and families – Uplifting Stories

An article I found to be important for children and families regarding research is called, “WHAT RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN CHILDREN’S EDUCATION: In Relation to Academic Achievement.”  Michigan Department of Education. (n.d.).   Retrieved from http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEVw9C5CxTaRgA4c5XNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTExZDhsNnNkBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNQRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1VJQzFfMQ--/RV=1/RE=1395537347/RO=10/RU=http%3a%2f%2fmichigan.gov%2fdocuments%2fFinal_Parent_Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf/RS=%5EADAAb.VRHt7LqRcF5lmAKMSpLI.7iw-

      The most consistent predictors of children’s academic achievement and social adjustment are parent expectations of the child’s academic attainment and satisfaction with their child’s education at school. f The earlier in a child’s educational process parent involvement begins, the more powerful the effects. The most effective forms of parental involvement are those parents who work directly with their children on learning activities at home.  Major Factors of Parent Involvement:  1. Parents’ beliefs about what is important, necessary and permissible for them to do with and on behalf of their children;  86% of the general public believes that support from parents is the most important way to improve the schools. 2. The extent to which parents believe that they can have a positive influence on their children’s education; and Lack of parental involvement is the biggest problem facing public schools. 3. Parents’ perceptions that their children and school want them to be involved.  Decades of research show that when parents are involved students have higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates.  In addition better school attendance, increased motivation, better self-esteem.  Although most parents do not know how to help their children with their education, with guidance and support, they may become increasingly involved in home learning activities and find themselves with opportunities to teach, to be models for and to guide their children.  Lower rates of suspension, decreased use of drugs and alcohol and fewer instances of violent behavior, family participation in education was twice as predictive of students’ academic success as family socioeconomic status.  The more intensely parents are involved, the more beneficial the achievement effects. The more parents participate in schooling,  at every level -- in advocacy, decision-making and oversight roles, as fund- raisers and boosters, as volunteers and para- professionals, and as home teachers, the better for student achievement.