When it comes to student achievement, textbooks and teachers aren’t the only factors at play, parents are too. Across many classrooms and communities, parental involvement is one of the most powerful influences on a student’s academics and personal record. Even educators and researchers agree: when parents take an active interest in their child’s studies, they regularly try to perform better  in school. 

The NEA explicitly states on its website: “when families and communities are involved in their children’s education, students attend school more regularly, stay in school longer, and perform at higher levels” (National Education Association). Therefore, a child’s academics are not just limited or influenced by his own thoughts and actions. A multitude of socio-cultural factors are responsible for shaping a child, and how he performs at school is one of the aspects that reflects his social life. 

Educators and teachers throughout the world have agreed that parental support is not just important for homework or building an academic life. Rather it is the very foundation of discipline that stays with a child throughout his entire life. It is obvious that the support a parent provides their child is what ensures the structural integrity of what the child will build in the future. 

Parental involvement can take many forms: helping in assignments, attending school events, reading together, or simply discussing the school day. But most experts say that the quality of engagement matters more than quantity. “Parent involvement in a child’s education is consistently found to be positively associated with a child’s academic performance” (Topor et al. 2011). This engagement has a ripple effect in a student’s behaviour. Schools report that students with parental support show fewer disciplinary issues and are most likely to engage in classroom activities.

But not all families find it easy to stay involved in their child’s studies. Work schedules and other responsibilities etc can make participation challenging. So, many schools are involving parents through flexible meeting times, online platforms for communication. The message is clear: student success is not a single effort. It takes a team: including schools, teachers and especially parents. As education systems evolve, one principle remains constant but when parents show up, there is undeniable proof that students rise.

References

CIS Jax. “Why Parental Involvement is Crucial for Your Child’s Academic Success.” CIS Jax, 17 Mar.2023, https://cisjax.org/why-parental-involvement-is-crucial-for-your-childs-academic-success/. Accessed 20 June 2025.

National Education Association. Family Support. NEA, https://www.nea.org/student-success/engaged-families-communities/family-support. Accessed 19 June 2025.

Topor, Donald R., et al. “Parent Involvement and Student Academic Performance: A Multiple Mediational Analysis.” Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, vol. 38, no. 3, 2010, pp. 183–197. Taylor & Francis Online, 

https://doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2010.486297.