Sociological Perspective of Spouse Behaviour and Its Effects on Academic Performance of Students
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the study
The study was guided by the following research objectives:
- To determine how the education level of parents influences the academic performance of students in public secondary
- To examine the influence of parents’ attitude to education on the academic performance of students in public secondary
- To determine how parents’ economic status affects the performance of students in public secondary
- To establish the extent to which family type affect the academic performance of the students in public secondary
CHAPTER TWO
TWO LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
This chapter presents a theoretical and empirical review of related literature on the characteristics of parents in improving the students’ academic performance in public secondary schools. It present the following subsections: influence of family type on students academic performance, effect of parental economic status on the performance of students, the influence of parental attitude on the academic performance of students, influence of parents education level on academic performance of students, theoretical, conceptual framework and summary of literature review.
Influence of parents education level on academic performance of students
There are several reasons why the education level of parents may be related to the amount of involvement they have in their child’s academics. According to Bakker (2007), students with lower academic performance generally have parents with lower education levels. As a result, these families may have fewer resources to help their child academically. These parents may not have the same capabilities to offer their child, such as tutors or computers (Sandefur, 2005). However, there are several ways that parents may become involved in their child’s academics so that even parents with less educational level can participate. Parental involvement takes various forms including good parenting in the home, including the provision of a secure and stable environment, intellectual stimulation, parent-child discussion, good models of constructive social and educational values and high aspirations relating to personal fulfillment and good citizenship; contact with schools to share information; participation in school events; participation in the work of the school; and participation in school governance (Desforges & Abouchaar, 2003).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter presents details of the research design, target population, sample size and sampling procedures, description of research instruments, validity and reliability of instruments, data collection procedures and data analysis techniques.
Research design
According to Borg and Gall, (1989) a research design refers to the process of creating an empirical test to support or refute claim. The researcher used a descriptive survey design which involved describing, recording, analyzing and interpreting conditions that exist. This study will employ a survey research design.
This study employ a survey research design. This design was used in this study mainly because of the following reasons: The design is useful in describing the characteristics of a large population, makes use of large samples, thus making the results statistically significant even when analyzing multiple variables, many questions can be asked about a given topic giving considerable flexibility to the analysis. The design allows use of various methods of data collection like questionnaire and interview methods. It also makes use of standardized questions where reliability of the items is determined (Owen, 2002).
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS
Introduction
This chapter presents data analysis and interpretation of the findings on the parental behaviour influencing students’ academic performance in public secondary schools. This chapter is presented based on the following subsections: background information, how the education level of parents influences the academic performance of students in public secondary schools, the influence of parent’s attitude to education on the academic performance of students in public secondary schools, how parents’ economic status affects the performance of students in public secondary schools and the extent to which family type affect the academic performance of the students in secondary schools.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
This chapter presents the summary, conclusions and recommendations of this study on the parental characteristics influencing students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Summary of the study
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the parental characteristics influencing students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. The study was further guided by the following research objectives: to determine how the education level of parents influences the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, to examine the influence of parent’s attitude to education on the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in the LGA, to determine how parents’ economic status affects the performance of students in public secondary schools In Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. and to establish the extent to which family type affect the academic performance of the students in public secondary schools in Isinya District, Kajiado County.
Conclusions
From the analysis and summary of this study on the parental characteristics affecting the academic performance of students in public secondary schools, there are a number of conclusions that can be made. To begin with, the educational level of parents as observed in this study is a vital characteristic that affects the academic performance of students to a greater extent. Parents who lack education may not see its importance in their children and hence they may not be that supportive as compared to those parents who have some level of education and know in the importance of education in their children’s life.
It can also be concluded that the attitude parents on education is a vital characteristic among parents that may determine the progress of their children in their educational goals. Parents who have negative attitude towards education do not support their children fully and thus this affects their performance. Some of these parents may not follow up on the progress of their children in schools, assist them in doing their homework assignments or even visiting the schools for academic meetings. This negatively kills the moral of the student in their education and thus affecting their performance as well. The economic status of parents can also be concluded as to affect the academic performance of some of the students in public secondary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. This whereby some of the students who come from families which are not economically stable tend to be chased out of school for fees whereas others are not able to purchase some of the reading materials. This affects their performance to a greater extent. Moreover, poor economical backgrounds limit the parents from sending their children to schools that have adequate facilities or of high standards simply because they are not able to meet the educational cost required.
The family structure was another parental characteristic that was raised in this study as to have an effect on the academic performance of students in secondary schools. It is reported that students who come from families with both parents tend to perform much better as compared to those who come from single parenthood families. This is because those from both parents have adequate support both psychologically and financially. Moreover, those children from polygamous families are affected in their academic performance to some extent.
Recommendations
From the analysis, summary and conclusion of this study on the effects of parental characteristics on the academic performance of students, there are a number of recommendations that can be given. These include but may not be limited to: The school administration in public secondary schools needs to come up with strategies which are geared towards identifying the various backgrounds of different students in their schools. This may enable the administration to understand clearly the nature of each student and thus being able to handle them with ease and appropriateness so as not to hamper with their educational progress.
The school administration should also organize for functions and ensure that all the parents get to attend. During these functions, the administration may be able to address on the parents on some of the roles that they can play so as to enhance the academic performance of their children. Moreover, they may also highlight on some of the parental characteristics that hamper the educational progress of the children.
Parents on the other hand need to be encouraged in participating in the education of their children. The teachers may assign some tasks to the students that require the direct participation of the parents. These assignments may enable the parents to get involved in the educational process of their children and thus being able to review on what the children are learning while at school.
The Ministry of Education, school administrators and the local authorities need to come up with frequent community based forums that are specifically structured towards enhancing parental participation in their children’s education. During these forums, the parents may be highlighted on the importance of education not only in the child development but also community growth.
There is also need for policy formulation and implementation that encourage parents who have never attained any formal education to get the opportunity. These policies need to be introduced in the rural
areas such as lagos state and parents encouraged to enroll. It is through these trainings that those parents who have not received any educational training may be able to increase on their knowledge as well as develop a positive attitude towards learning.
There is also need for guidance and counseling processes to be introduced in the public secondary schools. The main role of these counseling sessions may be to encourage and motivate the students to see beyond their limitations and put more focus on the future through persistence and determination in their education.
REFERENCES
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- Borg, W. R. & Gall, M. D. (1989). Educational Research. White Plains, New York: Longman.
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