This week a new report was released by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training and ARACY - Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth. The report, titled "Just say you're proud of me - Parent Engagement and Doing Well at School" explores parent engagement from a student's perspective. The report provides a unique insight into the benefits and challenges of engaging parents in their child's learning journey at secondary level.

The students provided insight into the tensions between asserting their independence while still deeply wanting and needing the support and guidance of their parents in their education and decisions about the future.

Parents of children in secondary schools are often seeking ways to engage with their children's learning but are often placed in the position of overseer, thinking that checking up on their children is supporting them rather than checking in and truly understanding what their role is in supporting their children through the secondary years. 

The Executive report concluded that, "...for most students, support from their parents and families is a key factor in them doing well at school and is an important foundation for their future. Students recognised the vital role that their parents and families play in their lives. Most students we consulted acknowledged that their parents and families care for them and are invested in their success at school in a way that is different to their teachers and friends."

The most interesting insight is the difference between how students view "doing well" at school to their parent's view. Most students believe doing well means doing their best, establishing and maintaining friendships, developing life skills, and doing well in extra-curricular activities.

The students highight that the pressure to "do well" is causing many of them to feel anxious and it is having an impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

Reference: "Please Just Say You're Proud of Me - Perspectives of young people on parent engagement and doing well at school, ARACY." https://www.aracy.org.au/publications-resources/categories?id=6