Why a parents’ role is key to a child’s educational performance

The school test - a parents' role is vital

The role played by parents in encouraging educational achievement is more significant than that of schools or the child, a study has found.

The study also found that the socio-economic background of a family not only affected the child's educational success - it also affected the school's effort in delivering education.

Researchers Professor Gianni De Fraja and Tania Oliveira, from the University of Leicester and Luisa Zanchi, of Leeds University Business School – both in the UK - found that the parents' effort is more important for a child to do well at school and is more important than the school’s own efforts.

Professor De Fraja said: "Parents from a more advantaged environment exert more effort, and this influences positively the educational attainment of their children.

"By the same token, the parents' background also increases the school's effort, which increases the school achievement. “

She added: “Why schools work harder where parents are from a more privileged background we do not know. It might be because middle class parents are more vocal in demanding that the school works hard."

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