The influence of family socioeconomic status on parental involvement and students' online academic performance : a case study in China’s Henan Province
Date of Award
9-20-2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Policy Studies (DPS)
First Advisor
Prof. CHENG Wing Tung Michelle
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, education shifted dramatically from face-to-face instruction to online teaching and learning, establishing a new norm in educational practices. This transition changed the primary learning environment from the school to the home and the supervisor of student learning from the teacher to the parents. As a result, the influence of family background and parental involvement on children’s online learning becomes more significant in this context. Moreover, although the relationship between the three elements has been a popular topic for previous researchers, few researchers have studied it in the context of fully enclosed online education, and the previous case studies are mainly in Europe and the United States. In order to fill the research gap, this study explored the interrelationships among parental socioeconomic status, parental involvement and elementary school students’ online academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on Henan Province, China, a relatively underdeveloped region characterised by significant socioeconomic disparities and unequal educational resources. Based on the cultural capital theory and Epstein's theoretical framework of parental involvement, this study was conducted with parents and teachers of primary school students from urban and rural Henan. A mixed research method was adopted, including questionnaires and interviews. A total of 582 questionnaires were collected, alongside interviews with five teachers and five parents of primary school students in Henan Province. According to the research results, parental involvement and students’ positive learning behaviours significantly improved students’ online learning outcomes, challenging the predominant view that socioeconomic status is the decisive factor in educational success. The findings also advocate for effective parental involvement and cooperation between home and school. Finally, recommendations for stakeholders, based on the study’s main findings and the existing policies on parental involvement in Henan Province, were provided.
Language
English
Copyright
The copyright of this thesis is owned by its author. Any reproduction, adaptation, distribution or dissemination of this thesis without express authorization is strictly prohibited.
Recommended Citation
Dang, J. (2024). The influence of family socioeconomic status on parental involvement and students' online academic performance: A case study in China’s Henan Province (doctoral thesis, Lingnan University, Hong Kong). Retrieved from https://commons.ln.edu.hk/otd_tpg/37/