Expanding Knowledge of Parental Involvement in Secondary Education: Effects on High School Academic Success. Report No. 27

摘要

This report analyzes data from the parent and student components of the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 to investigate family educational involvement in secondary education. It examines whether parental involvement influences the educational achievements of high school seniors. By utilizing multiple involvement indicators for the eighth and twelfth grades, the study confirms the importance of considering the multidimensional nature of parental involvement in students' education. The effects of parental involvement on twelfth grade achievement depend on the type of family practices considered. General conclusions based on the present findings support the existence of positive effects of parental involvement on twelfth grade academic achievements. The effects are stronger for course credits and curricular placement than for test scores. High levels of educational expectations, consistent encouragement, and actions that enhance learning opportunities of students are the major ways by which families positively influence the educational achievements of their teens. Regardless of socioeconomic or race/ethnic background, families with high levels of educational expectations have the most positive effects on senior achievements.