Family involvement in schooling. A North Portugal Portrait by elementary students

Family involvement in education is highlighted as a key factor to boost students’ success. In this paper, we analyze ninth-graders’ discourses on how they see family participation in school-related activities. data derive from 38 biographical interviews involving students from eight public schools from North Portugal. Following a narrative approach, findings emphasize that active involvement of parents make up a fundamental dimension for the consolidation of educational projects. data reveal that mothers play a leader role in the educational setting, while fathers’ lack of participation can impact negatively on students’ trajectories. In addition, research indicates that an extended family can emerge as crucial to the maintenance of a schooling project.