Parental influence and academic achievement among middle school students: Parent perspective

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parental influences on middle school students' academic achievement. The sample included 32 parents of middle school students. The data were collected by distributing a self-administered questionnaire. This questionnaire measured: (a) levels of parental pressure and support; (b) parental help, monitoring, and press for literacy; and (c) communication. There was relationship that approached significance between communication and academic achievement; as communication increased, academic achievement increased. There was also relationship that approached significance between parents' highest level of education and parental help, monitoring, and press for literacy; the higher the level of education of parents, the more involved parents were. Social workers can play an important role in educating parents of middle school students on the benefits of parental involvement.