Managing School-Based Parenting Programs to Support Primary School Students' Reading Literacy: A Qualitative Multiple-Case Study

Authors

  • Yeni Nuraeni Universitas Islam Nusantara, Bandung, Indonesia
  • Deti Rostini Universitas Islam Nusantara, Bandung, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59944/postaxial.v4i2.1634

Keywords:

Educational management, Family literacy, Parenting program, Primary school, School-family partnership

Abstract

Strengthening primary students' reading literacy requires coordinated support from schools and families. However, many school-based parenting programs focus on one-way information sessions rather than a complete and continuous program cycle. This study examined how two Indonesian public primary schools managed parenting programs to support students' reading literacy. It used a qualitative multiple-case design at SD Negeri Babakan Pacet and SD Negeri 114 Bojongkoneng. Data came from non-participant observations, semi-structured interviews with principals, teachers, school committee members, parents, and students, and an analysis of program documents and literacy portfolios. The data were analyzed through data condensation, data displays, conclusion drawing, and verification. Planning, organizing, actuating, and controlling guided the analysis. Four findings emerged. First, the schools planned their programs around observed reading difficulties and the need for support at home. Second, principals, teachers, and school committees shared responsibility for materials, communication, and literacy resources. Third, the schools used parent workshops, shared reading, reading logs, and online communication. Fourth, teachers monitored progress through classroom observations, communication with parents, reading records, and student portfolios. Evidence across data sources indicated stronger parental engagement, more regular reading, greater confidence in reading, and better understanding of simple texts. Limited parental time and unequal support at home reduced consistency. A connected management cycle helped the schools turn one-off parenting activities into more purposeful family literacy partnerships. This qualitative study does not establish causal effects or statistically measured improvement.

References

-Bronfenbrenner, U. (1986). Ecology of the family as a context for human development: Research perspectives. Developmental Psychology, 22(6), 723–742. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.22.6.723

Carter, N., Bryant-Lukosius, D., DiCenso, A., Blythe, J., & Neville, A. J. (2014). The Use of Triangulation in Qualitative Research. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41(5), 545. https://doi.org/10.1188/14.ONF.545-547

Claes, R., Laga, J., Denies, K., Bleukx, N., Dockx, J., Van Keer, H., & Aesaert, K. (2024). The interplay between students’ home literacy environment, reading attitudes and comprehension: A serial mediation analysis using PIRLS 2021-data. Large-Scale Assessments in Education, 12(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40536-024-00233-8

Clymer, C., Lee, J., McLean, E. L., & Prins, E. (2024). Parents’ learning in family literacy: A mixed-methods evaluation. Zeitschrift Für Weiterbildungsforschung, 47(2), 297–319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40955-024-00286-w

Crowe, S., Cresswell, K., Robertson, A., Huby, G., Avery, A., & Sheikh, A. (2011). The case study approach. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 11(1), 100. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-11-100

Dahl-Leonard, K., Hall, C., Cho, E., Capin, P., Roberts, G. J., Kehoe, K. F., Haring, C., Peacott, D., & Demchak, A. (2025). Examining the Effects of Family-Implemented Literacy Interventions for School-Aged Children: A Meta-Analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 37(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-09985-3

de la Rie, S., van Steensel, R. c. m., & van Gelderen, A. j. s. (2017). Implementation quality of family literacy programmes: A review of literature. Review of Education, 5(1), 91–118. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3081

Dong, Y., Wu, S. X.-Y., Dong, W.-Y., & Tang, Y. (2020). The Effects of Home Literacy Environment on Children’s Reading Comprehension Development: A Meta-Analysis. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 20(2), 63–82.

Epstein, J. L., Sanders, M. G., Sheldon, S. B., Simon, B. S., Salinas, K. C., Jansorn, N. R., Van Voorhis, F. L., Martin, C. S., Thomas, B. G., & Greenfeld, M. D. (2018). School, family, and community partnerships: Your handbook for action. Corwin press.

Fikrat-Wevers, S., van Steensel, R., & Arends, L. (2021). Effects of Family Literacy Programs on the Emergent Literacy Skills of Children From Low-SES Families: A Meta-Analysis. Review of Educational Research, 91(4), 577–613. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654321998075

Graham, M. A., & Mtsweni, M. U. (2025). Parental involvement predicts Grade 4 learners’ reading literacy: An analysis of PIRLS data for students in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Educational Review, 77(6), 1907–1929. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2024.2379416

Kim, S. (2022). Fifty years of parental involvement and achievement research: A second-order meta-analysis. Educational Research Review, 37, 100463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100463

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldana, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook. SAGE Publications Sage CA: Los Angeles, CA.

Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. (2017). Thematic Analysis: Striving to Meet the Trustworthiness Criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16(1), 1609406917733847. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917733847

OECD. (2023). PISA 2022 Results. OECD. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2023/11/pisa-2022-results-volume-i-and-ii-country-notes_2fca04b9/indonesia_0e09c072/c2e1ae0e-en.pdf

Puglisi, M. L., Hulme, C., Hamilton, L. G., & Snowling, M. J. (2017). The Home Literacy Environment Is a Correlate, but Perhaps Not a Cause, of Variations in Children’s Language and Literacy Development. Scientific Studies of Reading, 21(6), 498–514. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2017.1346660

Sénéchal, M., & Young, L. (2008). The Effect of Family Literacy Interventions on Children’s Acquisition of Reading From Kindergarten to Grade 3: A Meta-Analytic Review. Review of Educational Research, 78(4), 880–907. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654308320319

Terry, G. R., & Franklin, S. G. (1972). Principles of management.

Tracy, S. J. (2010). Qualitative Quality: Eight “Big-Tent” Criteria for Excellent Qualitative Research. Qualitative Inquiry, 16(10), 837–851. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800410383121

Traga Philippakos, Z. A., Ross, R., & Summers, J. (2023). Promoting Ongoing Partnerships in Family Literacy Through Yearlong Collaborations. Early Childhood Education Journal, 51(8), 1499–1510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-022-01404-4

van Steensel, R., McElvany, N., Kurvers, J., & Herppich, S. (2011). How Effective Are Family Literacy Programs?: Results of a Meta-Analysis. Review of Educational Research, 81(1), 69–96. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654310388819

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications (Vol. 6). Sage Thousand Oaks, CA.

Downloads

Published

2026-10-05