The Impact of Parent Education and Household Income on Students’ Academic Achievement As the Main Indicators of Socioeconomic Status (SES)

Abstract

          The present study investigated the impact of maternel education, paternal education and household income on students’ academic achievement as three main socioeconomic status (SES) indicators in Turkey. 200 high school students who had completed their secondary school education were included in the study. The scientific hypotheses of the study were evaluated using t-tests and hierarchical regressions. The results demonstrated that household income had a much stronger positive impact on students’ academic achievement compared to secondary school GPA. Providing educational support as well as learning materials and resources at home as a type of parental involvement had the second largest impact on students’ academic achievement, whereas maternal education was the third strongest variable affecting students’ academic achievement. Offering complementary or supportive educational opportunities as a type of parental involvement emerged as the fourth strongest variable affecting students’ academic achievement.