Date of Award
Winter 12-1-2017
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate of Education, Ed.D.
College
College of Education
Department
Education
First Advisor
Mark E. Jimenez, Ed.D.
Second Advisor
Catherine Beck, Ed.D.
Third Advisor
Donna Brackin, Ed.D.
Abstract
Parental involvement is an integral variable that bears a significant value in the overall academic achievement and learning process of a student’s educational journey. Therefore, all parents should play a major role in their children’s academic success from elementary through middle and high school. The prime focus of this research was to examine the perceptions of middle school parents and find strategies to build effective relationships between the school and home. This two-part case study utilized Epstein’s (1995) School and Family Partnership Surveys of Teachers and Parents in the Elementary and Middle Grades, and semi-structured interviews to gather a firm understanding of the parents’ perceptions of parental involvement. Guided by Epstein’s (1995) Six Types of Involvement, this study examined the different ways parents are involved in their children’s academic achievement. Forty-five parents completed the survey and 22 of these participants were interviewed. The data were analyzed and the results were coded based on Epstein’s (1995) Framework of the Six Dimensions of Parental Involvement: parenting, communication, volunteering, learning at home, decision making, and collaborating with the community. The qualitative findings of this research showed that parents want to be involved, but there was a disconnect in communication between the families and the schools.