Is Parental Involvement a Predictor of Academic Achievement?: Administrators' Insights
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Abstract
This study addresses the critical issue of parental involvement in the educational
process. Educational research overwhelmingly reveals the importance of parental
involvement for students. In addition, education theorists and national education goals
mandated by legislators conclude that parental involvement is essential to increased
student learning. The purpose of this study was to identify the beliefs of assistant
principals regarding parental involvement. The results of this study will add to what is
known about the views and practices of assistant principals. It additionally will provide
useful information that can be distributed at professional development sessions for
educational leaders as they prepare to become the future leaders of tomorrow.
This qualitative survey research used open-ended questions and responses to
supplement the research findings emphasizing the need for parental involvement in the
educational process. The data supports the literature in finding that parental involvement
is crucial because it contributes to increased academic achievement in schools. Effective
parental involvement is significant because the role of the educator is changing
drastically due to government policies such as No Child Left Behind (2002). Both the
literature and the survey results indicate the often unmet need for parental involvement
programs on campuses. The findings in this study not only add to the literature, but they
can practically inform campus administrators and school districts as a whole.