Family focused strategies for student engagement

Abstract

A substantial body of research focuses on student achievement and the characteristics of schools that regularly produce it. While academic achievement is an important variable to measure, student engagement serves as a related and highly influential variable that merits more attention, particularly as it relates to preventative interventions. Student engagement mediates and moderates the relationship between parental influences and academic achievement and school completion. Research examining influences on engagement have often utilized a familiar concept known as parent involvement. Traditional research on parent involvement is school-centric, meaning it is focused on parents’ interactions with and attendance at school events. Unfortunately, this school-centric approach fails to incorporate the conjoint influence of parenting practices, parenting styles, parent-child relationship quality and family structure. New research that examines non-school parental and familial factors influencing student engagement is needed. This article maps the conceptual territory for future research and enhanced practice that is centered on student engagement and the important role that parents and families can play in fostering positive academic outcomes.

Keywords:

• Student engagement
• Family
• Parents
• Single parent
• Out-of-school time

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Benjamin R. Malczyk

Benjamin R. Malczyk is an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. His current research interests are single-parent families, online social work education, and competency-based education.

Hal A. Lawson

Hal A. Lawson is a professor of Educational Policy and Leadership and a professor of Social Welfare. His research interests center around partnerships among schools, families, community agencies, neighborhood organizations, governments, businesses, and higher education.