The Role of Parental Involvement in Academic Achievement among Pre-University College Students

Abstract

This study examines the extent of parental involvement in three key areas: communication at home, the creation of a conducive learning environment, and overall support provided at home. It also investigates the relationship between parental roles and the academic achievement of students at Kota Kinabalu Form Six College (Pre-University), Sabah. A total of 172 students were selected through stratified random sampling, and the data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. The findings indicate that the level of parental involvement is high across all three domains, and students' academic achievement is also high. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between parental involvement and academic performance. The novelty of this study lies in its focus on pre-university students, a group often underrepresented in parental involvement research, especially within the Malaysian context. While existing studies typically centre on primary and secondary education, this research highlights the continuing importance of parental support during the transitional phase to higher education. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence that parental involvement remains a key factor influencing academic success at the pre-university level. It also offers practical insights for educators, policymakers, and parents in developing strategies that foster student achievement through sustained family engagement.