The Crucial Role of Parent Involvement in Student Achievement

Decades of research and contemporary studies converge on one conclusion: students experience significant academic and emotional benefits when families are actively engaged in their education. From kindergarten through high school, strong home–school partnerships contribute to improved grades, healthier social-emotional development, and greater motivation (Stanford, 2023). While schools may not be able to alter the socioeconomic or cognitive contexts students bring to class, they can cultivate a culture where families feel empowered to support learning.

Why Parental Involvement Matters

Boosts Academic Performance

Meta-analytic research consistently demonstrates a positive relationship between parental involvement and student achievement. A recent synthesis of 25 studies, encompassing over 42 independent effect sizes, reported a statistically significant effect size of 0.115 (p < .001) for the relationship between parental engagement and mathematics performance (Wang & Wang, 2024). Notably, joint involvement by both parents yielded the largest benefit (r = 0.135), and parental expectations and support were shown to be particularly influential.

A broader meta-analysis of 55 studies across subject areas revealed that while the overall impact of parental involvement is modest, parental expectations exert the strongest positive influence. Conversely, controlling behaviors may negatively affect achievement (Erdem & Kaya, 2020). Both home-based and school-based engagement—such as reading at home or attending school events—have been associated with improved test scores and academic motivation (Stanford, 2023).

Importantly, the most impactful forms of involvement emphasize encouragement and communication over direct homework help. Studies have shown that parental support and discussions about schoolwork are more beneficial than assisting with homework, which can sometimes hinder academic performance (Stanford, 2023).

Supports Social and Emotional Development

Parental involvement also positively influences students' behavioral and social outcomes. Longitudinal data from the NICHD Study of Early Childcare and Youth Development showed that increased parental involvement from grades one to five predicted reduced behavioral problems and improved social skills (El Nokali et al., 2010). Students with consistently high parental engagement exhibited stronger social functioning and fewer behavioral difficulties.

Similarly, a review conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA), as cited in Stanford (2023), emphasized that parental engagement enhances students' self-esteem, sense of safety, and enjoyment of school. International findings also indicate that students whose parents are involved report better emotional well-being and stronger school engagement (Stanford, 2023).

Fosters Lifelong Learning

Creating a home environment that prioritizes learning fosters long-term academic resilience. Parents who set high expectations, read with their children, and talk about school promote intrinsic motivation and cognitive growth. The APA review highlighted that parental discussions and encouragement are especially effective for adolescents, while early literacy practices support vocabulary development and reading comprehension throughout school years (Stanford, 2023).

Creative Strategies for Engaging Parents in K–12 Schools

Modernizing Traditional Approaches

Traditional events such as parent–teacher conferences can be transformed into collaborative goal-setting sessions where educators and parents co-design learning or behavioral plans. This relational model builds social capital and helps families better advocate for their children (Stanford, 2023). Similarly, involving parents in volunteering, field trips, and school events strengthens home–school ties, especially in elementary and middle school. Flexible options like virtual workshops and evening events can extend this engagement into high school.

Leveraging Technology for Two-Way Communication

A 2024 national survey by SchoolStatus found that 77% of K–12 parents consider communication with schools essential, yet only 33% feel well-informed and fewer than 40% receive regular updates (SchoolStatus, 2024). Nearly 69% of respondents want updates at least weekly, and most prefer digital communication—72% via email and 70% via text.

These findings highlight the need for platforms such as ClassDojo, Remind, or Seesaw that facilitate real-time communication and media sharing. However, equitable use of technology requires addressing the digital divide. Owens et al. (2023) found that internet access alone is insufficient; families need training, support, and culturally relevant tools. During the pandemic, educators reported that student motivation and family support were crucial to learning continuity, and that logistical supports like device and broadband access were more helpful than digital literacy programs (Owens et al., 2023).

Promoting Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Practices

Events like family heritage nights allow schools to celebrate the diversity of their communities through food, music, and storytelling. Establishing family resource centers—virtual or in-person—can also support engagement through parenting classes, translation services, and community partnerships. Including parents in advisory boards signals that their voices are valued in school governance.

Age-Appropriate Activities

Engagement activities can be tailored across developmental stages:

• Elementary: Reading journals, family fun nights, “Muffins with Moms.”

• Middle: STEM workshops, book clubs, parent–teacher strategy sessions.

• High School: College prep panels, joint debates, arts nights.

Recent Trends in Parent Engagement (2025)

Growing Demand for Communication

The SchoolStatus survey revealed that parents overwhelmingly desire more frequent and relevant communication from schools. Nearly 70% want academic updates weekly, while 45% report that communication is insufficient (SchoolStatus, 2024). These insights suggest a trend toward proactive, consistent messaging—especially in the early months of the school year when routines are being established.

Emphasis on Collaborative Goals

Modern family engagement strategies prioritize co-constructed academic goals. Stanford (2023) reports that involvement practices emphasizing shared planning and monitoring of learning objectives are more impactful than mere attendance at events. For adolescents, reading together and setting academic expectations remain highly effective.

Digital Inclusion and Equity

According to Owens et al. (2023), equitable parent involvement requires bridging gaps in access, training, and language support. Teachers observed that families with limited supervision or English proficiency faced greater challenges during remote learning. Addressing these gaps through device lending, multilingual tech support, and centralized hubs for communication is key.

Post-Pandemic Recovery

Family engagement played a crucial role in mitigating pandemic-related learning loss. A report by the National Association of State Boards of Education (Hernandez et al., 2025) concluded that schools with strong pre-pandemic family relationships experienced lower absenteeism and better academic continuity during COVID-19 disruptions.

Conclusion

Parental involvement is not supplemental—it is foundational. When parents communicate with teachers, attend events, and foster a home culture of learning, students benefit academically, socially, and emotionally. To meet the demands of today’s educational landscape, schools must blend traditional engagement strategies with digital innovations while ensuring equitable access for all families. The most effective partnerships are those built on collaboration, trust, and shared goals—ultimately unlocking every student’s potential.

References

El Nokali, N. E., Bachman, H. J., & Votruba-Drzal, E. (2010). Parent involvement and children’s academic and social development in elementary school. Child Development, 81(3), 988–1005. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2895772/

Erdem, C., & Kaya, M. (2020). A meta-analysis of the effect of parental involvement on students’ academic achievement. Journal of Learning for Development, 7(3), 367–383. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1271907.pdf

Hernandez, R. P., Snyder, J. W., & Caspe, M. (2025). Eight ways states can build better family engagement policies. National Association of State Boards of Education. https://www.nasbe.org

Owens, M., Ravi, V., & Hunter, E. (2023). Digital inclusion as a lens for equitable parent engagement. TechTrends, 67, 1–11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10047494/

SchoolStatus. (2024). National survey uncovers communications preferences from K-12 families. https://www.schoolstatus.com

Stanford, L. (2023). Does parent involvement really help students? Here’s what the research says. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org

Wang, X., & Wang, Y. (2024). The influence of parental involvement on students’ math performance: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1463359. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1463359/full