In a recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics on "America's Kindergartners," researchers found that children's performance in reading, mathematics and general knowledge increases with the level of their mothers' education. Another study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that, from 1971 to 1999, there has been an overall decline in reading performance for children ages 13 and 17 whose parents' highest level of education is high school graduation. A third study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that 64% of public elementary schools with a high concentration of poverty (50% or more of the student population eligible for federal lunch subsidies) perceived lack of parent education as a barrier to parent involvement, compared to 12% of low-poverty schools.

January 2003 - Facts & Figures from the National Center for Family
Literacy Research Department, National Center for Family Literacy.

#     #     #

June 2006 - First-generation college students more likely to be older, independent, and attending part time - Students who are the first in their family to attend college come from a variety of backgrounds. Yet these students face some common challenges as they strive to complete degrees, often with less support and guidance from their families, Minnesota Office of Higher Education.