Improving attitudes about parental roles in childhood education: An action research study

This action research study examined the changes on parents' behaviors and attitudes towards their role in their child's education through the influence of a new parenting course, Positive Parenting. Even though there have been attempts at creating frameworks to a parental involvement program, this study is unique because of the use of the Parent University program as a parent partnership. Moreover, the research findings will assist in making recommendations to the current Parent University program to make it more effective, which will in turn produce success for the organization. Questions addressed in this qualitative study were (a) In what ways will the new three-week parenting course change parents' attitudes and behaviors towards their responsibility in supporting their child's academic success and educational future? (b) How have the strengths of this new course assisted in changing parents' attitudes? (c) What are the weaknesses of the course? The sample consisted of 12 parents who participated in the Positive Parenting course. Pre-intervention and post-intervention surveys were used, as well as interviews to see if there were changes to the parents' attitudes and behaviors after attending the course. It was found that parents who were involved in this course had a better understanding of their role in their child's education, as well as how they could assist them to be successful in their educational future. The implication of this study is the need for educational leaders and organizations to implement either parent education classes or Parent University programs at school sites to change parents' perceptions toward their role in their child's life and education. New research can be developed on a variety of parent classes that can increase full parental participation in parent programs or in parental engagement to promote educational success.