Research (Older)

How About Better Parents?

Columnist Thomas Friedman seeks to lighten the burden of teachers to give students a great education. In his column "How About Better Parents?", Friedman illustrates how parents give a significant influence in a student's education. Parents who are more active in the school life of their children produce children who score higher as opposed to parents who are more indifferent to their child's daily learning. Active participation can include asking how a child's day was a school, reading with the child at an early age, monitoring homework and rewarding their efforts. Showing a genuine interest in the wellbeing of a student can seriously boost their academic achievements. Regardless of socioeconomic background, parents who value the social connection between parent and student will see an average of 25 points higher in the PISA test, the "equivalent of well over half a school year".


Friedman is against putting all the blame of American's declining education on teachers. He firmly believes that parent should take an active role in a student's education in order to boost academic achievement. Friedman cites numerous studies done on the demographics of those students who took the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), such as the OECD and the American School Board Journal, stating that  “just asking your child how was their school day and showing genuine interest in the learning that they are doing can have the same impact as hours of private tutoring. It is something every parent can do, no matter what their education level or social background". Friedman wants to convey to parents, as well as students, that both parties should seek an intimate relationship and interest in education in order to succeed in academics.