Parental Influence and Academic Achievement among Middle School Students: Parent Perspective

Abstract

This study examined the effects of parental influence on middle school students' academic achievement. The sample included 32 parents of middle school students. The questionnaire measured: parental pressure and support; parental help, monitoring, and press for literacy; and communication. There was a relationship that approached significance between communication and academic achievement: as communication increased, academic achievement increased. There was also a relationship that approached significance between parental help, monitoring, and press for literacy and parents' highest level of education: the higher the level of education of parents, the more involved parents were. The implication for school social workers is discussed.

Keywords:

• Parental involvement
• middle school
• academic achievement

Notes

^aScale: 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = uncertain, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree. Higher scores indicate a higher level of parental support.

^bScale: 1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = usually, 5 = always. Higher scores indicate a higher level of parental monitoring and parental communication.

*p < .10, approaching significance.

p < .10, approaching significance.