School practices to involve families are more important than family characteristics. For example, the reading achievement of fourth-graders whose families are involved in their school is greater than for those whose families are not involved in their school. Community groups can provide expertise and resources and facilitate family-school exchanges. For example, businesses that provide leave time for family members to volunteer in their child's school positively impact a child's achievement in school. The U.S. Department of Education has put parental and family involvement at the head of the class for education reform efforts.
Studies show public support for family involvement in education is significant.
Forty percent of parents believe they are not devoting enough time to their children's education. Teachers believe strengthening parents' roles in their children's learning must be the top issue in education policy. Nearly 90 percent of company executives find the lack of parental involvement to be the biggest obstacle in school reform. Family involvement in children's learning has been an integral part of President Clinton's and Secretary Riley's programs, research agenda, and legislative activities. I program under the Improving America's Schools Act.