Parents as Tutors: A Pilot Project Using Strategic Instruction to Increase Self-Efficacy, Autonomy, and Academic Achievement for Students with Disabilities or At-Risk for School Failure

The purpose of this project is to identify methods in which parents can influence student success in school. The project targets parents of students who live in poverty, have disabilities, or may be at risk for school failure as a result of limited English proficiency or other social or cultural reasons. Other possible long-term benefits might include lower rates of grade retention, dropping out, unemployment, and, in some instances, incarceration.

The Project LASER grant offers an opportunity to investigate the effects of strategy training for parents to work with their children. A collaborative team involving the Counseling, Psychology, and Special Education Programs will provide pre- and post- testing for students, pre- and post-surveys for parents and 10 weeks of strategy training. Projected gains measured in student self-efficacy, autonomy, and academics will be measured against a control group in which no strategy training is provided.