Impact of Latino Parent Engagement on Student Academic Achievement: A Pilot Study

Year Published:

Abstract

The current pilot study examines the impact of the Ten Education Commandments for Parents program on (1) new immigrant Latino parents’ knowledge of the U.S. public education system, (2) parent engagement, and (3) their children’s academic achievement. Utilizing a preexperimental, pre- and posttest research design, four schools with similar demographic compositions were chosen for the study. Parents in the experimental group (n = 68) participated in the Ten Education Commandments for Parents workshop sessions and completed pre- and posttests to assess differences in their perceptions and knowledge of parent engagement before and after attending the program. Additionally, two consecutive years of student data from these parents’ children (n = 164) were compared with students attending similar schools (n = 1,628) whose parents did not participate in the workshop sessions. Results from both parent survey questionnaires and student report cards strongly suggest positive outcomes in three areas: increase in parents’ understanding and knowledge of the U.S. education system, greater parent engagement in their children’s education, and improvement in student achievement. Findings also support the implementation of the Ten Education Commandments for Parents program in other schools, suggesting it has the potential to positively influence both parent engagement and the academic achievement of Latino students.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What works to help students in immigrant and refugee families complete secondary education?

There is some moderate evidence that trusted adult support increases academic achievement. Three articles highlight the importance of support from a trusted adult on academic achievement. Two suggestive studies focus on parental support, while another impact evaluation focuses on trusted adults. Students who had the support of their parents or trusted adults were more academically…

About this study

AGE: Adolescents and/or Youth

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

HOST COUNTRY: United States

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: 10 hours

INTERVENTION: Parent training program

OUTCOME AREA: Youth Programs

POPULATION: Refugees

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Central America

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2017

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