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From birth, families have a huge influence on their children’s achievement. In fact, parents and family members are their children’s first and most important teachers. Over 30 years of research has proven that when families work together with educators to support learning everyone benefits:
Students
- Perform better in school, achieving higher grades and test scores and graduate at higher rates.
- Have better school attendance and lower rates of suspension.
- Are more likely to enroll in postsecondary education.
- Feel better abut themselves, have greater self-esteem, and high motivation.
- Students whose parents are involved enjoy these benefits regardless of income or background.
Parents
- Hear firsthand about the learning expectations for their children.
- Become more comfortable and gain a sense of ownership at school and connection to their community.
- Learn about their children’s strengths and how they can help them succeed.
- Have their voices heard in program decisions.
Schools
- Benefit from higher teacher morale and higher ratings from parents.
- Receive more support from families.
- Benefit from active, interested, motivated students who help create an enriched learning environment.
- Have higher student achievement.
Henderson, A.T. & Mapp, K.L. (2002). A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement. Austin, TX: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.
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