Parent involvement in elementary school and educational attainment

Abstract

While educational success in high school can be linked to elementary school achievement, there is little evidence that parent involvement in elementary school provides lasting benefits to children through high school. Using data from the Chicago Longitudinal Study, this study investigated the association between parent involvement in elementary school and success in high school. Parent involvement in school (based on teacher and parent reports) and parent reports of home involvement were used to determine if greater reported parent involvement was associated with indicators of school success. Results indicated that even after controlling for background characteristics and risk factors, parent involvement in school was significantly associated with lower rates of high school dropout, increased on-time high school completion, and highest grade completed. This study suggests that parent involvement in school is an important component in early childhood education to help promote long-term effects.