Q&A – The Importance of Parental Involvement in Education
Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.
Email: brianmudd@iheartmedia.com
Social: @brianmuddradio
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Today’s entry: Hey Brian I'm listening on my way to work as I usually do. I'm a high school teacher in South Florida retired military retired Navy and conservative and I was listening to your show today talking about that high school teacher that did that atrocious thing with that dictator award. Just to your point about parent involvement, that's a big struggle to get parental involvement. One of my goals for this year is to try to reach out to as many parents as possible and try to get more involvement with the parents, so yeah I think getting parents more involved in their kids' education is always a good thing, and you know, as a conservative teacher, I have hope for this next generation I think that we can make a difference and I hope that the state will start doing more to incentivize conservative teachers into the field. I think that it's sorely needed, and you know I would be it would be nice to not be in the in the minority in the field. Great show, I love listening to you and I appreciate all that you do.
Bottom Line: Thank you for listening, sharing and your work in the classroom. In an effort to hopefully assist with your goal of greater parental involvement in education let’s breakdown the profound impact it can have on outcomes. The research supporting the benefits of parental engagement in education is long standing, wide reaching and overwhelmingly positive. So, about that...
Academic Achievement:
- Children with engaged parents score 10-25% higher on standardized tests in reading and math compared to peers with less involved parents
- A meta-analysis found that parental involvement in school activities, like attending parent-teacher conferences or volunteering, correlates with a 16% - 31% increase in academic performance across grade levels.
- Students with involved parents are 15-20% more likely to graduate high school and pursue higher education. Parental engagement in early education (K-5) has a particularly strong effect, increasing the likelihood of college enrollment by up to 25%.
Engagement and Motivation:
- Kids with active parental involvement are 30% more likely to show higher engagement in school, including better attendance and motivation to complete assignments.
- A study from the National Center for Education Statistics found that students whose parents regularly communicate with teachers are 1.5 times more likely to complete homework consistently.
Behavioral Outcomes:
- Engaged parents contribute to a 20-30% reduction in behavioral issues, such as classroom disruptions or suspensions.
- Schools report fewer disciplinary incidents when parents participate in school events or maintain open communication with teachers.
Outcomes based on type of engagement:
- Home-based involvement (helping with homework, discussing school): Associated with a 10-15% improvement in grades.
- School-based involvement (attending meetings, volunteering): Linked to a 12%-18% increase in test scores.
- Teacher communication: Regular parent-teacher interaction boosts student performance by 8%-12%.
So literally in every category that’s been measured there’s improvement when parents are engaged. And the more ways parents are engaged, and the earlier they’re engaged, the better the results. As I mentioned earlier in the week, many well-intentioned parents are busy and may really struggle to be able to find the time to support their family and be engaged they may want to be with their children and their education. However, in terms of academic outcomes, and really in terms of shaping the overall future of their children, next to instilling a belief in God, there’s nothing better a parent could do for their children. Best wishes for success in what you’re seeking to do.