Parental involvement has been universally accepted as one of the most important factors affecting students' academic performance. Studies persistently indicate its positive effect on various educational outcomes, especially in behavioural and cognitive areas. Parental involvement encompasses activities at home, including homework assistance and discussion of a child's academic development. This study examines the relationship between parental involvement and student achievement in Mathematics and Science in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) based on data from the TIMSS 2023 test of students in grade 4. Parent involvement is classified into four types: (1) Parent participation in school events, (2) parent commitment to prepare children to learn, (3) Parent expectations of their children's academic achievement, and (4) parent support to improve achievement. The study uses school-administered questionnaire items to measure indicators of parental involvement. It examines student achievement at three levels of parental engagement: high, medium, and low, using a one-way ANOVA approach. The findings showed significant differences in Mathematics and Science scores between the three groups, in which students with high parental involvement recorded higher performance levels than their peers. The findings further depict a statistically significant correlation between parental involvement and student performance in Mathematics and Science, highlighting the importance of active parental intervention in learning. Based on these results, the study recommends institutionalizing culturally responsive parental involvement programs and training teachers to engage parents from diverse backgrounds. These are necessary steps to ensure sustained academic achievement and inclusive educational practice in the UAE.

Authors:
Shaikha AL Zaabi, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
Alya AlShehhi, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
Hassan Tairab, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates

About the Presenter(s)
Shaikha Ali Al Zaabi is the National Project Manager for PISA and IELS in the UAE. Her interests include science education and large-scale assessments. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Science Education from UAE University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

Bookmark