Parental Involvement and Retention Rate in Public Elementary Schools in the District of Cabuyao

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

It is widely recognized that if pupils are to maximize their potential from schooling, they will need the full support of their parents. Attempts to enhance parental involvement in education occupy governments, administrators, educators, and parents' organizations across the nation. Parents' involvement in prevention efforts targeting adolescents increases the impact of such programs. However, the majority of risk-reduction intervention programs that are implemented through schools do not include parents, in part because most existing parental interventions require significant time commitment by parents. Adolescent behavior is influenced by family, peers, school, neighborhood, and the broader socio-cultural context (Jackson, Henderson, Frank, & Haw, 2012), with family being especially influential. Parents are positioned to assume a central role in protecting against adolescent involvement in risk behaviors (Wiloughby & Hanza, 2011).

METHODS

The study employed a quantitative research approach. Through random sampling, 200 public elementary school teachers and 200 parents from the District of Cabuyao were selected as respondents of the study. A survey questionnaire was used as the main data gathering instrument of the study, the percentage, weighted mean, and Pearson Goodman and Kruskal's Gamma Correlation were the statistical tools used in the study.

RESULTS

The findings of the study reveal that parents' involvement on educational performance, behavior/attitudes, and school environment significantly affects schools' retention rate on the school year 2015 -2016 and that some variables of the family profile also significantly affect the schools' retention rate.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the findings of the study, the following are recommended: 1. There is a need for the school community to produce a collaborative plan to enrich the involvement of parents on the school’s retention rate as suggested on the offered action plan. 2. The parents are encouraged to give their full support for their child's education. 3. The parents are encouraged to devote most of the time that they have available for children's schooling to directly assisting children to master the school curriculum. When they feel strongly that changes in the school are required, approach school administrators and teachers in coordination with other like-minded parents, to request/insist on such change.