Inner city high school parent involvement and student achievement

This study explored the correlation between Inner City High School parent involvement and student academic achievement in Chester High School. A number of studies have argued that little is known about the effects of parental involvement on educational attainment (Jeynes, 2005; Shaver & Walls, 1998). This study seeks to explore if there is a correlation between increased parental involvement and an increase in student academic achievement. Two sets of data were collected and analyzed. One was from a parent survey that indicated parent involvement, the other was from the Pennsylvania State Standard Exam (Keystone Exam) focusing on Math and Reading scores of the same students from the 9th and 10th grade. The results of the study indicated a relation between parent involvement and student achievement. The results also show that there is a need to engage parents in different and effective types of parental involvement in an inner city High School community. The hope is that the results in this study would be used as a policy tool to educate High School parents and the school on the positive effects of parental involvement on student academic achievement.