On Friday, September 13, 2024, Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School hosted Grandparents’ Day. During the event, kids bonded with their grandparents by completing word searches, answering fun and engaging questions, taking pictures, and eating lunch together.

The principal of MLK Elementary, Johnathan Johnson, writes that Grandparents’ Day is “a chance for our students to celebrate the love, wisdom, and support their grandparents bring to their lives. Students are allowed to share what they are learning with the people who play a major role in their development. These relationships are so important in shaping who they are, and having grandparents involved in school activities strengthens that bond.”

Going to events like these is just one way that grandparents can participate in a grandchild’s education. When grandparents were asked about other ways they were involved in their grandchild’s education, they responded by saying things like helping them with homework and buying them school supplies. Grandparents also said that showing them educational videos and taking them to the library are ways they support their education. A report from the National Center for Family Literacy shows that grandparents who are involved with a grandchild's literacy can lead to higher reading levels – which directly correlates to the district’s Strategic Plan Priority of enhancing Early Literacy.

“I think it is very important for us as grandparents to be involved in a child's education, especially at such a young age,” one grandparent said. “It’s important for us to be involved with them so we can shape them into the young women and men they will become.”

A report by Generations United found that the social and emotional support provided by grandparents can improve a child's academic perseverance. Increased participation of grandparents has been shown to be connected to better school attendance and involvement in school.

Many grandparents described their relationship with their grandkids as excellent because of the quality time they spend with them. Many said they often use their time with them to teach them new things and enhance their personal development. One grandparent adds, “I love to spoil my grandkids and help them grow throughout their education.” 

According to a University of Oxford study, children who have close relationships with their grandparents perform better academically.

Grandparents' involvement in a grandchild’s life is crucial in guiding them throughout their educational journey. 

Grandparents play a significant role in supporting the educational outcomes of students, especially in multi-generational households or in cases where they take on caregiving responsibilities. Here are some key statistics and findings on this topic:

Grandparent Caregivers and School Success: 
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 2.7 million grandparents were the primary caregivers for their grandchildren in 2020. Research has shown that students living with their grandparents in stable environments often experience better behavioral and emotional outcomes, which positively influence academic success .

Social and Emotional Support:
A report by Generations United found that grandparents provide crucial social and emotional support that can improve a child's resilience and emotional regulation, which are key factors for educational success. This support has been linked to improved school attendance and greater engagement in school activities.

Positive Academic Outcomes:
A study from the University of Oxford highlighted that children who have a close relationship with their grandparents show better educational performance, with 33% of students in the study reporting that their grandparents encouraged their academic efforts.

Support for Literacy:
Grandparents often contribute to improved literacy rates. The National Center for Family Literacy states that multi-generational households with involved grandparents show higher levels of reading proficiency and greater exposure to educational materials at home, positively influencing children’s literacy development .

Socio Economic Impact:

In lower-income families, grandparents often fill critical gaps, providing stability and ensuring that children have access to educational resources. The Pew Research Center found that children raised by grandparents are more likely to come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and the presence of a grandparent in these cases has a mitigating effect on academic risk factors .