Kids do better when dad comes to school

David Kee is active in his son’s schools. Here, he helps son, Dylan, practice the bassoon. Kee is the husband of Tara Kee, who is the marketing manager for Professional and Continuing Studies.

4 p.m., June 10, 2005--“Studies show that dads play an important role in children’s success in school,” Rob Palkovitz, professor of individual and family studies, says. His primary research area focuses on fathers and families, including the relationship between fathers’ involvement with their children and men’s adult development.

“When fathers are involved in their children’s education in a positive way, children’s performance in school is better. The children enjoy school more, have a lower drop-out and expulsion rate, get better grades and participate more in extracurricular activities,” Palkovitz says.

Research shows that when fathers participate in three or more events at school, from attending a conference to chaperoning a field trip, their children fare better than those whose fathers do not, Palkovitz says, citing survey results from the National Center for Education Statistics.

The same study also showed that fathers who are involved at home, who read to their children and take them to museums and other cultural experiences, tend to be more involved in schools, and their children’s academic performance is better.

A New York University study showed that another important factor is a father’s level of education. Those with at least a high school education tend to support and encourage their children’s school performance.

In general, children in families with both biological parents at home do better in school than those with single parents or step-parents, Palkovitz says. However, non-residential fathers who are regularly involved with their children enhance the children’s performance. The children of fathers who are sporadically or marginally involved do not perform as well, Palkovitz says.

Mothers are twice as involved in schools as fathers, Palkovitz says, but there are ways schools can facilitate father involvement. Schools can sponsor “bring-your-father to school day.” Schools can invite fathers to be representatives on committees. Fathers can come to school to share their jobs, hobbies or talents with students. Teachers can assign projects such as writing an autobiography that includes the child’s family history.

For parents for whom English is a second language, schools can provide literacy programs or support services. As a result of participating in these programs, parents frequently feel more comfortable at school and more a part of the school, Palkovitz says.

Palkovitz, who is the father of four and does volunteer work with children, is the author of Involved Fathers and Men’s Adult Development: Provisional Balances and is working on a new book, Fathering in Faith. He joined the UD faculty in 1983.

Article by Sue Moncure
Photo by Greg Drew

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