The study titled "Longitudinal impact of parent-teacher relationship on middle school students’ academic achievements in China" provides insightful findings on how robust parent-teacher relationships can significantly influence students' academic performance. Conducted by Fu, Pan, Yuan, and Chen, this research highlights several actionable outcomes for practitioners in the field of education.
Key Findings:
- Active Communication: The study emphasizes the importance of active communication between parents and teachers. Regular interactions, such as parent-teacher meetings, positively impact students' academic achievements. Practitioners should encourage parents to attend these meetings and actively engage in discussions about their child's progress.
- Parental Involvement: Parents who participate in school activities and support their children's education at home contribute to better academic outcomes. Schools can foster this by creating more opportunities for parental involvement, such as volunteering and attending school events.
- Teacher's Role: Teachers' perceptions of respect from parents and the stress they experience from parental demands also play a crucial role. Schools should provide support to teachers to manage stress and build respectful relationships with parents.
Practical Implementation:
- Develop Equal Dialogue: Teachers should strive to develop an equal dialogue with parents, guiding them to take the initiative in participating in school education. This can be achieved by expressing welcome and affirmation for parental involvement and addressing any fears parents might have about communicating with teachers.
- Expand Communication Channels: Parents should be encouraged to expand communication channels with teachers. Participation in school activities and volunteer programs can help in building a stronger parent-teacher relationship.
- Create an Inclusive Atmosphere: Schools should aim to create a creative, open, and inclusive atmosphere that attracts parents to participate in their children’s education. This involves timely communication about the student’s performance and fostering a culture of healthy interaction between parents and teachers.
Encouraging Further Research:
The findings of this study open avenues for further research. Practitioners are encouraged to delve deeper into understanding the dynamics of parent-teacher relationships in different cultural contexts and educational settings. Additionally, exploring the impact of these relationships on other aspects of student development, such as social and emotional well-being, can provide a more comprehensive understanding of their significance.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Longitudinal impact of parent-teacher relationship on middle school students’ academic achievements in China.
