A Qualitative Study Exploring the Influence of Low-Income Parental Engagement on Academic Achievement

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand and describe the strategies that low-income parents use to support their high school students’ high academic achievement. Methodology: In this qualitative case study, interviews, artifacts, and researcher notes were used to understand and describe the parental engagement behaviors and strategies of low-income parents that contributed to the academic achievement of students from the participant’s perspective. Several themes were derived from the shared experiences of the participants through analysis of data. Findings: Key findings included parental use of: verbal communication and their presence in the lives of their student, traditionally accepted forms of engagement strategies, teaching personal character and life skills, establishing strong loving relationships, and developing the social and emotional capitol necessary to support the high academic achievement of their high school students. Conclusions: The study supported six conclusions regarding what strategies low-income parents used to support their high school students’ high academic achievement. Recommendations: Seven recommendations for further research were made to broaden the core beliefs about parent engagement and develop consensus for parents and educators working together to support the academic achievement of students