new study shows students with involved parents do better but
they get lower grades on average.
Huh?
Well, it makes sense.
Basically, involved parents go to helicopter mode when the students are struggling, over-reaching or just need a nudge.
So there are three classes of students:
those which do well, independent of parent involvement
those which do better than they would, because the parents are involved
and, those which do badly and don't get parental assistance
these are not exclusive or exhaustive
National Survey of Student Engagement
Another interesting point is the report that students benefit (at least internally) from "high impact" activity. Where they are pushed to engage with each other or faculty.
This makes sense, and is important to know - these activities are high cost and there is continual debate about whether to sustain such activities.
Ah, I know why this is (I think).
You see, involved parents mostly cater to their kids whims. So kid doesn't want to read? Mom will buy them the shortest possible school assigned book AND the Cliff Notes.
They want their kids to get the grade without necessarily having to do the work. This does less well when they hit the university.