Supports for family engagement at root of student learning success
Recently released National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores, often referred to as the nation’s report card, show a disappointing failure to improve scores across groups in both math and reading for students grades 4 and 8. A survey of 700 teachers in elementary and middles schools by survey.com asked what the biggest barriers are to scores improving. Family engagement rose to the top for it’s critical role in student learning success.
“My big takeaway is that it was not like, ‘Hey, parents, you're apathetic,’” Bryson says, “but it was actually more, ‘We need to do a better job at making sure parents can be involved.’ And all kinds of parents from all walks of life — not just parents, but caregivers.”
— Dana Bryson, senior vice president of social impact for Study.com
Experts cite a need to better support families in their children’s learning and to make sure that barriers to participation are addressed. 87% of teachers said they believe increased parent and family support is the most impactful solution for closing gaps. Making sure families have the resources and can access the tools to support children’s learning will help those families to best support their children’s academic success.
“… family engagement in schools leads to improved student achievement, fewer disciplinary issues, stronger parent-teacher and teacher-student relationships, and an overall better school environment…”
References
American Academy of Pediatrics (2016). Media and Young Minds. Pediatrics, 138(5).
Literature review: Impact of Family Involvement on the Education of Children Ages 3 to 8
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2007). Retrieved from www.developingchild.harvard.edu.
Teachers Say Parental Engagement Can Make or Break Efforts to Close Learning Gaps. EdSurge, Feb. 13, 2025.Nearly Half of Teachers Cite Lack of Family Prioritization of Academics as Top Cause for Learning Gaps. Retrieved from Study.com on Feb 14, 2025.