The Relationship of Parent Involvement and Student Achievement

Schools are in constant attack for poor test scores, student apathy, increased discipline problems, and high drop out rates. They are faced with the dilemma of addressing these issues and, in addition, surviving with declining state and district funding. Schools ponder what strategies and practices are effective to increase student achievement. What should be the focus and what practices have the strongest impact on student achievement? This study examined the relationship of the use of parent involvement strategies and school performance and how contextual factors affected this relationship. A principal inventory was sent to 110 schools to assess their parent involvement practices. The analyses specified the parent involvement strategies and contextual factors that improved student achievement. Conclusions, implications for schools and universities, and future research are discussed. This book is an essential tool for school administrators, school boards, teachers, parents, universities, researchers, community members and all those interested in school reform.