Foundational Research: Family Engagement
Student Online Achievement Resources (SOAR) recognizes the desire of military families to provide high-quality education for their children. SOAR aims to support military families and military community support personnel in this endeavor.
The evidence is consistent, positive, and convincing: Families have a major influence on their children’s achievement in school and through life. When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children to do to better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more. Studies have repeatedly found that students with involved parents, regardless of their income or background, were more likely to:
- earn higher grades and test scores
- enroll in higher-level programs
- be promoted, pass their classes, and earn credits
- attend school regularly
- have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school
- graduate and go on to postsecondary education
When parents talk to their children about school, expect them to do well, help them plan for college, and make sure that out-of-school activities are constructive, their children do better in school (Henderson & Mapp, 2002).
Henderson, A. & Mapp, K. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community connections on student achievement. Retrieved from www.sedl.org.