Parents play a huge role in their children's academic success by encouraging them to stay in school, according to a new study by researchers from Iowa State University.
Dropping out of school not only hampers a child's academic performance, but it also has serious effects on the kind of adult the child grows up to be, researchers stated. They noted the first step to ensure a child's academic success is by creating a home environment that encourages learning. To achieve this, parents must set high, but reasonable, expectations for the children, which should not only apply to school achievements, but their future careers. Parents should also be involved in their children's education at school and in the community.
"Involvement means many things, including asking your children regularly about their school day and homework," said Kimberly Greder, an associate professor and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach family life specialist. "Make sure your children have a regular place and time to study. Visit with teachers and school counselors to understand how your child is doing in school and what you can do at home to help them succeed."
According to data available from the National Center for Education Statistics, the dropout rate for students ages 16 to 24 was 6.6 percent in 2012. Latino students had the highest drop rate of 12.7 percent, followed by black students at 7.5 percent.
Researchers noted children with parents who have a low level of education, low income and are a racial or ethnic minority are more likely to drop out of school. Parents can look out for some of these signs, which will help them recognize whether their child is looking to cut the educational cord:
- High rate of absenteeism
- No participation in extracurricular activities
- No identification with his/her school
- Poor academic performance
Here are some pointers parents can use to encourage their children not to drop out of school:
- Talk to them regularly about their day at school
- Encourage reading and studying at home
- Interact with their school teachers and counsels
- Keep tabs on their academic performance
- Encourage them to participate in school activities and sports.
