"Achievement were determined by 'who you know' rather than 'what you do'

1. ROLE OF
THE
PARENTS IN
THE
DEVELOPMENT
OF CHILD’S
EDUCATION
By: Mary Grace Quinones
Adame
Parental role
construction in regard
to their child’s
education is not the
only determinant of
their involvement. Their
‘sense of personal
efficacy’ is also
implicated. This refers
to the degree to which
one feels able to make a
difference.
This in turn depends on
a number of related
beliefs, attitudes and
skills. If it is believed
that achievement is a
matter of luck or innate
ability there would seem
little sense in expending
effort in promoting it.
Again, if it were felt that
achievement were
determined by ‘who you
know’ rather than ‘what
you do’, efforts to
promote it would be
worthwhile only to the
degree that one’s child could be put in the way
of useful relationships. Lacking such
connections but holding such beliefs, parents
would hardly bother to be involved. Beliefs about
achievement, ability, luck, intelligence and social
interaction are all implicated in one’s sense of
efficacy. This foundation of beliefs interacts with
a sense of personal competence. It could be that
parents believe that coaching is a crucial
teaching process but feel wholly incompetent to
engage in this practice. If they have the
resources they might buy coaching. If not, their
involvement is materially truncated at least in
this respect.
Parental involvement, argue Hoover-Dempsey
and Sandler, varies to the degree that such
beliefs and competences are distributed as
individual differences amongst parents. Those
who have ‘can do’ attitudes and beliefs that
personal efforts create abilities will, at least
potentially, be at the forefront in parental
involvement. Those parents who hold contrary
beliefs might be expected to be fatalistic about
their child’s educational progress.
In summary the role of the parents with regards
to the education has a great impact on their
future educational achievement. And this is the
power that allow to many of the students
become great in their field of study, and
educational success.
But the question is, how will the school develop
the ability of the parents to support their
children in the area of education. This I consider
a great challenge on the part of the school.