Parents and Families in Precollege Preparation: The Lack of Connection between Research and Practice

Abstract

A discrepancy exists between (a) research supporting the hypothesis that parent and family involvement increases the chances of low-income students’ gaining entrance into college and (b) the practice of family participation in college outreach programs. This article explores the role of cultural capital, structural barriers, cultural integrity in programformation, and identity construction in encouraging or deterring parent and family involvement. A review of the literature and an analysis of various college outreach programs suggest a greater emphasis is needed on incorporating family involvement into the central organization of outreach programs. Given agreement among researchers and practitioners that family involvement is paramount to students’academic success, the author suggests ways to implement familial participation through a prioritization of resource allocation, the creation of evaluative frameworks for assessment of program effectiveness, and continued support in the formof further research, policy making, and funding.