The effect of parental involvement on the academic achievement of 9th grade students of a selected school in Maldives : a case study / Minna Ibrahim

Abstract:

Parent involvement in children's learning at school and at home is considered a key component of school reform, but more information is needed about how the effects of this involvement vary for students of secondary grades. The major research objective of this study was to assess the effect of parental involvement on the academic achievements of a 9th grade students in Maldives context. The primary method of data collection was semi-structured interviews. The writer interviewed a leading teacher, two teachers, and three parents whose children attend the study school, thematic coding of the data identified key similarities and differences between participants' opinions of parental involvement in child's education. Findings from the study identified effective best practices implemented at the study school. Study results indicate that to increase parental involvement,school need supportive staff, who are willing to involve parents in decision-making process and who are willing to welcome parents in to the school. In addition, school need to provide professional training for staff in how to effectively use volunteers in school, in two-way communicating with parents, and in the skills needed by teachers to assist parents in moving to the next level of parental involvement. Awareness programmes and initiatives need to be provided by school to help parents assume a more direct and sustained role in reinforcing and promoting students' academic achievements. Finally, school desiring to increase parental involvement must possess patience and a willingness to change. The report finishes with a recommendation for further research on this topic.