INFLUENCE OF FAMILY FACTORS ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE: A CASE STUDY OF YAKURR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out in order to determine the influence of family factors on the academic achievement of secondary school students in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. A population of 10 secondary schools were selected and utilized for the study with two hundred (200) students randomly selected. The respondents were made to respond to items on a questionnaire and an achievement test. This was made to test them on how family factors influence academic performance in English Language. The data collected were analyzed using independent t-test and One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The outcome of the analysis shows that, parents’ socio-economic status has a significant influence on the academic achievement of secondary school students in English Language; parents’ educational status significantly influences the academic achievement of secondary school students in English Language; family size has a significant influence on academic achievement of secondary school students in English Language and lastly, parental attitude significantly influences academic achievement of secondary school students in English Language. Based on the findings, the researcher made the following recommendations; parents should create conducive atmosphere in the home that will allow for free interaction between them and their children, so as to detect errors from their children’s responses. Finally, students’ academic records should be made available to their parents so that they will be equipped with the necessary information about their children’s progress in school.