Home Learning Activities: A Feasible Practice for Increasing Parental Involvement

Research has substantiated the importance of increased parental involvement in schools for improving student academic outcomes. Parental involvement in education has been found to be positively associated with child academic success across multiple populations and age groups (Gutman & McLoyd, 2000; Lareau, 2000; López, Scribner & Mahitivanichcha, 2001; Steinburg, Lamborn, Dornbusch, & Darling, 1992). Results suggest that when parents are actively involved in their child’s education, long lasting academic, social, and emotional benefits occur (Chavkin, 2006). For example, Hill and Craft (2003) found that increased parental involvement leads to early social competence, which predicts academic success. Similarly, parental involvement in school also increases opportunities for families to access additional support and resources that may be necessary to achieve school success for some students (Hill & Taylor, 2004; Lee & Bowen, 2006). Furthermore, increased parental involvement has been identified as an effective strategy for reducing the achievement gap (Zellman & Waterman, 1998). Chavkin (2006) sums up these findings well when she states, “When parents are involved in their children’s learning, children do better in school and in life” (p. 629)