In previous years, a few studies that have been conducted examining the significance of parental involvement in a child’s academic career were not able to discern if it made a positive difference or not. The largest body of research, by far, however, indicates that a parent’s involvement not only has an influence but, when other factors are controlled, like socioeconomic conditions and the roles of teachers, it has the biggest impact of all.

A study by Kamehameha Schools, Research and Evaluation Division, in Hawaii, cited a literature review analyzing if parental involvement was connected to the literacy accomplishments of a child. The preschool findings, in particular, found that a child whose parent reads to him or her, teaches songs and takes the child to the library tends to perform better in nursery school compared to children who did not receive the extra support. Along with parents reading with their children, this study also concluded that a child whose parent helped with writing skills had a stronger understanding of critical written language concepts when starting literacy classes in the beginning grades.

Parental involvement has an even bigger impact depending on the child’s age according to research conducted by Ursidae, the Undergraduate Research Journal, at the University of Northern Colorado.
The analysis determined that a parent’s contribution in homework and other school-related activities are most critical when children are younger and more dependent on parents.

Compared to any other time frame, similar data shows that a child between the ages of 3 to 10 will gain the most when a parent is involved, as determined in a report by the UK Department for Children, Students and Families. The study also found that another important developmental period is around 16 years of age.

Over many years now, from these studies and others, there is strong evidence indicating that positive parental involvement makes a big difference to a child’s school success, whether it’s minorities or white students. Finding educational sources that encourage parents to participate in a child’s school life, like The Latino Family Literacy Project, can also play a significant role in the process.