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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of efficacy and parental academic assistance in a suburban elementary school. The study was devised to look at differences in efficacy that might exist between mothers and fathers. The grade level of the child was also included in the study. The population of families used in this particular study was not typical of other schools in the area surrounding the school. The socio-economic status of the families was very high. Less than 3 % of the students participated in the free/reduced lunch program. The data collected indicated that the parent group investigated had a high sense of parental efficacy. Few significant differences were noted based on the gender of the parent or the grade level of the child represented. Eight recommendations were made based on the results collected: 1. More research should be completed on parental efficacy. 2. Research on parental efficacy should be completed with specialized parent/family groups such as: single parents, grandparents acting as parents, and foster parents. 3. Research should be completed on families of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds to determine if any variances occur in parental efficacy. 4. Research should be completed on the efficacy beliefs of low-income families to determine if any similarities might exist with families in this particular study. 5. A study of efficacy as it relates to child rearing would be helpful in determining parent preparation classes for pre-school programs. 6. An understanding of collective or neighborhood efficacy might be helpful in understanding how young people in particular areas are affected by crime and violence. 7. Research could be reviewed and examined to look at possible research implications for future studies in the efficacy of Hispanic American families. 8. The finding that the educational background of the parent might have an impact on efficacy leads to further research in this area. Hoover-Dempsey (1992) suggested that the probability of the parents own positive schooling experience contributes to their feelings of efficacy for their children would lead a researcher to conclude that further investigation might be necessary.