Parent Involvement and Student Success

     When it comes to parent involvement and its powerful influence, the knowledge base is broad and clear.  The challenge comes in transforming knowledge into practice and practice into results.  A critical dimension of effective schooling is parent involvement.  Many schools are now using the term family involvement to include, grandparents, aunts, uncles, foster parents, stepparents, etc.  Research has shown conclusively, that parent involvement at home in their children's education improves student achievement.  Furthermore, when parents are involved at school, their children go farther in school.  Studies to date show the following important facts:

• The more extensive the parent involvement, the higher the student level of achievement.
• When parents are involved, students achieve more, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnic/racial background, or the parents' education level.
• When parents are involved in their students' education, those students have higher grades and test scores, better attendance, and complete homework more consistently.
• When parents are involved, students exhibit more positive attitudes and behavior.
• Student behaviors, such as alcohol use, violence, and anti-social behavior decrease as parent involvement increases.
• Junior an senior high school students whose parents remain involved, make better transitions, maintain the quality of their work, and develop realistic plans for their future.  Students whose parents are not involved, on the other hand, are more likely to drop out of school.
• The most accurate predictor of a student's achievement in school is not income or social status, but the extent to which that student's family is able to (1) create a home environment that encourages learning (2) communicate high, yet reasonable, expectations for their children's achievement and future careers; and (3) become involved in their children's education at school and in the community.

     The evidence is now beyond dispute.  When parents are involved in their children's education at their home their children do better in school.  We believe at Beresford that all children can and will succeed, therefore we will do all we can to help students find academic success.  We also believe that successful schools have informed and involved parents and community members.  Please feel free to call or stop in and visit if you have any questions.

Jerry Carda