The Importance of Parental Involvement in Literacy for Early Elementary Grades

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY1

Background of the Study1

Problem Statement3

Purpose of the Study4

Nature of the Study5

Research Objectives5

Research Question and Hypothesis6

Theoretical Framework6

Definition of Terms7

Assumptions8

Limitations9

Delimitations9

Significance of the Study10

Summary11

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW13

Introduction13

Defining Parental Involvement14

Legal Basis for Parental Involvement15

Benefits of Parental Involvement18

Benefits of Parental Involvement to Parents21

Benefits of Parental Involvement to Teachers22

Barriers to Parental Involvement23

Socio-Economic and Stress-Related Barriers to Parental Involvement24

Cultural Barriers to Parental Involvement27

Language Ability and Literacy29

Attitude of Teachers towards Parents as Barriers31

Role of School Leadership in Facilitating Parental Involvement32

Influence of Parental Involvement34

Positive Effects of Parental Involvement35

Negative Effects of Parental Involvement36

School-Based and Home-Based Parent Involvement Behaviors38

Parent Involvement in Children's Schooling38

Parent Involvement in Children's Home Literacy44

Children's Language and Literacy Skills44

Home Literacy Activities44

Parents as Partners in Education46

Summary47

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY49

Introduction49

Research Objectives51

Research Question and Hypothesis51

Research Variables51

Research Method52

Theoretical Framework53

Questionnaire Design54

Sampling55

Data Analysis56

Literature Search56

Ethical Considerations57

Reliability and Validity59

Research Limitations60

REFERENCES62

APPENDIX72

Appendix A: Participant Consent form72

Appendix B: Parent's Questionnaire73

Appendix C: Teacher's Questionnaire78

Appendix D: Permission Letter83

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY

Background of the Study

In our public educational system today, a lack of parental involvement could be seen to be one of the greatest problems facing children in their early reading skills development (Grigg, Daane, Jin, & Campbell, 2003). However, the problem is whether parental involvement influences the academic success of students in literacy. More than eight million students in grades four to twelve in the United States are identified as struggling readers (Grigg, Daane, Jin, & Campbell, 2003). Educators in one elementary school in eastern Virginia believe that there is a relationship that exists between a kindergartener's reading level and the amount of time parents are engaged in reading activities at home (Grigg, Daane, Jin, & Campbell, 2003). Reading is a critical academic skill, one which is necessary for success in all academic domains. In the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading tests last year, it was found that over 70% of students nationally arrive in high school with reading skills below “proficient” and nearly half of these students cannot exhibit even partial mastery of the knowledge and skills that are fundamental to proficient work at the ninth grade level (U.S. Department of Education, 2010).

Similarly, when parents are involved children have better grades, attitudes, and behavior. Students also have a better chance of engaging in advanced cognitive development over the long term through reading comprehension (Lonigan & Shanahan, 2010). As noted by Keen (2007), parental partnership is all the more important when students are affected by disabilities or other learning challenges, as well as language or cultural barriers. As Keen writes, while creating learning plans for children with exceptional learning challenges, it is key that “there should be a respectful, trusting and open relationships between professionals and parents in order to adopt various communication techniques or strategies that helps in achieving effectiveness while working with the families” (Keen, 2007, p. 330). It is important that schools need to recognize that the family itself is deeply affected by a child's social, mental or physical challenges, which needs to result in the consideration of ...