Parental Involvement in Teaching and Learning as Correlates to the Academic Performance of Students in Senior Secondary Schools

The purpose of this study was to determine parental involvement in the teaching and learning as correlates to the academic performance of students in senior secondary schools, using a case study of Ila local government area of Osun State. Parental involvement has become a priority in all levels of schools nationwide because of the positive effect on student academic performance as suggested by some researchers and the legal mandate of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 to implement parent participation strategies. Review of related studies claimed that parental involvement on students' educational practices lead to a better academic performance than when they are not involved. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data from students and parents of the selected senior secondary schools using quota sampling technique. Parental involvement was found to be important in determining good students' academic achievement and organizing parents' day in schools, calling a meeting twice in a year, creating more associations like School Base Management Committee are strategies for improving parental involvement. The study recommended that teachers should include parents in making school rules and regulation as well as maintenance of school facilities. Schools can make phone numbers available to all parents to promote parental involvement in students' academic activities through effective communication. Parents should also be encouraged to attend school open days as this will give them the opportunity to interact with teachers as regards to their children performance in class.