Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the activities and behaviors of the parents of successful high school students as observed by their students, the teachers of their students, the counselors of their students, and the parents themselves, to determine if there are common activities and behaviors being used by these parents, and to identify whether there is a difference between their observations. Methodology. A descriptive case study was employed to conduct the research. The population consisted of six different high schools in California. Purposive sampling was used to identify thirty-three high school seniors, their parents, their teachers, and their counselors. Four focus groups were held at each of the high schools, one with each group of participants. Based on Epstein's "Six Types of Involvement," open-ended interview questions were used. All of the meetings were tape-recorded and transcribed. The information was sorted and studied to determine major themes, commonalities, and differences emerging from the data. A matrix analysis was used to organize and interpret the data. Findings. The parents in the study were involved with their student and the student's education. Their parenting activities and behaviors included communicating with their student, supporting, encouraging, and motivating them to succeed, and setting high expectations for them. The parents also communicated with high school personnel regularly. They were involved with their student's extracurricular and cocurricular activities. They volunteered to help at school-sponsored events. They also served on various committees and Parent Booster Associations. The learning at home involvement of the parents included monitoring homework and discussing school issues. Only a few parents were involved with decision making that occurs at the high school. The majority of their community involvement revolved around their church affiliation. Conclusions and recommendations. Parents of high school students should stay involved with and support their students throughout their education. The support should encompass all areas of their students' high school experience. Educators need to begin educating parents on the importance and benefits of their being involved with their student's high school education, and ways in which they can do so.