No Parent Left Behind: Predicting Parental Involvement in Adolescents' Education Within a Sociodemographically Diverse Population

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Numerous studies have investigated the utility of the Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler (HDS) model for predicting parents' involvement in students' education. Yet, the model has yet to be thoroughly evaluated with respect to youth who are (a) in high school and (b) from sociodemographically diverse families. Using a nationally representative sample of 3,248 parents drawn from the 2007 National Household Educational Survey, the authors examined the relationship of high school outreach efforts, parent satisfaction with the school, and parental beliefs to 3 types of parent involvement. The analysis largely confirmed the power of the HDS model. Furthermore, the findings suggest that school outreach efforts are particularly important in promoting historically disenfranchised parents' involvement in the schools, whereas enhancing parenting self-efficacy is crucial for supporting their engagement at home.