Engaging Parents in Raising Achievement Do Parents Know ...

Research Report DCSF-RW004

Engaging Parents in Raising Achievement Do Parents Know They Matter?

A research project commissioned by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust

Professor Alma Harris and Dr Janet Goodall University of Warwick

Research Report DCSF-RW004

Engaging Parents in Raising Achievement Do Parents Know They Matter?

A research project commissioned by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Professor Alma Harris and Dr Janet Goodall

University of Warwick

The views expressed in this report are the authors' and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department for Children, Schools and Families ? University of Warwick 2007

Contents

1. Executive summary........................................................................................................ 5 1.1. Introduction................................................................................................................ 7

2. The Research................................................................................................................ 10 3. Methodology ................................................................................................................. 12

3.1. Case Studies ........................................................................................................... 12 3.2. Literature review ...................................................................................................... 15 3.3. Research Instruments ? Semi-structured interviews................................................ 15 3.4. Data analysis ........................................................................................................... 17 4. Literature review........................................................................................................... 20 4.1. Introduction.............................................................................................................. 20 4.2. Definitions and Interpretations ................................................................................. 22 4.3. Effects of Parental Involvement ............................................................................... 24 4.4. Barriers to Involvement............................................................................................ 28 4.5. Commentary ............................................................................................................ 31 5. Qualitative Findings 1 .................................................................................................. 33 5.1. Supporting parents to help their children learn ........................................................ 34 5.2. Personalising provision for parents as learners ....................................................... 35 5.3. Enhancing pastoral care .......................................................................................... 35 5.4. IReporting ................................................................................................................ 36

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6. Qualitative Findings 2 .................................................................................................. 38

6.1. Engagement with student learning........................................................................... 38

6.2. Parental engagement .............................................................................................. 41

6.3. Practicalities and Value of Parental Engagement .................................................... 44

6.3.a. Moral support................................................................................................ 45 6.3.b. Valuing of education ..................................................................................... 46 6.3.c. Achievement and behaviour ......................................................................... 47 6.3.d. Homework..................................................................................................... 50 6.4. Discussion ............................................................................................................... 51

6.5. Barriers to Parental Engagement............................................................................. 52

6.5.a. Parental experience of education ................................................................. 53 6.5.b. Parental lack of skills .................................................................................... 54 6.5.c. Practical issues............................................................................................. 55 6.5.d. Perceived teacher attitudes .......................................................................... 56 6.5.e. Attitude of the child ....................................................................................... 57 6.5.f. Parents not interested................................................................................... 57 6.5.g. The School.................................................................................................... 58 6.5.h. Discussion .................................................................................................... 59 6.6. Specific issues ......................................................................................................... 61

6.6.a. Ireporting - Teleological Reporting ............................................................... 61 6.6.b. Need for Space............................................................................................. 64 6.6.c. Engagement for sustainability....................................................................... 65 7. Reflection...................................................................................................................... 67

7.1.a. Implications for schools................................................................................. 68 7.1.b. Implications for parents................................................................................. 68

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7.1.c. Implications for policy makers....................................................................... 69 7.1.d. Implications for Researchers ........................................................................ 69 8. Appendices ................................................................................................................... 71 Appendix 1. Total Respondents .................................................................................. 72 Appendix 2. Illustrative Case Studies......................................................................... 73 Appendix 3. The value of Parental Engagement........................................................ 81 Appendix 4. Barriers to Parental Engagement........................................................... 83 9. Bibliography ................................................................................................................. 87

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