ABSTRACT   The study examined the Impact of Parental Influence on students’ Academic Performance in Federal College of Education, Zaria. It has five research objectives, and five research questions formulated guided the study. Related literature to the study were review. The description research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised all Academic staffs, Non-academic students, parents and students. 50 respondents selected through a purposive random, sampling techniques constituted the sample for the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed with frequency counts and simple percentages. The findings of the study revealed that there is positive relationship between the parents and students academic performance in Federal College of Education Zaria. Based on the conclusion of the study the following recommendation are made; the researcher suggested that a related study on the relationship between the parents and academic performance of the students be made, in order to complete the circle of academic performance determinants.           TABLE OF CONTENT   Title page-      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -              Declaration                -           -           -           -           -           -           -             Approval page           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -   Dedication                  -           -           -           -           -           -           -             Acknowledgement     -           -           -           -           -           -           -            Abstract                     -           -           -           -           -           -           -             Table of content        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -    CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION   1.1              Background to the Study     -           -           -           -           -           -              1.2              Statement of the Problem     -           -           -           -           -           -           1.3              Research Objectives -                        -           -           -           -           -           -   1.4              Research Questions   -           -           -           -           -           -           -            1.5              Research Hypotheses            -           -           -           -           -           -           -     1.6              Basic Assumption-     -           -           -           -           -           -           -              1.7              Scope of the Study-               -           -           -           -           -           -            1.8              Significance of the Study                  -           -           -           -           -           -     1.9              Operational Definition of Terms     -           -           -           -           -           -         CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE   2.1       Introduction   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -     2.2       Conceptual Framework           -           -           -           -           -           -              2.3       Theoretical Framework        -           -           -           -           -           -        2.4       Empirical Studies-     -           -           -           -          -           -           -      2.5       Summary       -           -           -                       -           -           -           -        CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY   3.0       Introduction               -           -           -           -           -           -           -       3.1       Research design         -           -           -           -           -           -           -       3.2       Population of the study-       -           -           -           -           -           -         3.3       Source of Data Collection     -           -           -           -           -           -       3.4       Population for the Study      -           -           -           -           -           -         3.5       Sample and Sampling Techniques   -           -           -           -           -          3.6       Instrument for Data Collection        -           -           -           -           -          3.7       Validity of the Instrument    -           -           -           -           -           -         3.8       Procedure for Data Collection         -           -           -           -           -          3.9       Method of Data Analysis      -           -           -           -           -           -        CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS   4.1       Introduction   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -       4.2       Data Analysis -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -       4.3       Data Presentations    -           -           -           -           -           -           -        4.4       Hypotheses Testing   -           -           -           -           -           -           -        4.5       Summary of Major Finding -           -           -           -           -           -         CHAPTER FIVER: SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION   5.1       Introduction   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -       5.2       Summary       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -       5.3       Conclusion -   -          -           -           -           -           -           -           -      5.4       Recommendations -   -           -           -           -           -           -           -       5.5         Suggestions for Further Study -      -           -           -           -           -                      Reference               Appendice     Chapter One: Introduction 1.1 Background to the Study Education is a primary need in this time of globalization. Education did not only gives insight, also grooms the personality, inculcate moral values, add knowledge and give skill. Education is necessary owing to the nature of competition. In every area, highly qualified people are needed. Battle and Machel (2007), indicated that in this era of globalisation and technological revolution, education is considered as the first step in every human endeavour. It plays a fundamental role in the development of human capital and is linked with an individual wellbeing and opportunities for better living. William and Vimal (2007), stated that education plays a significant role in the allocation of personnel to various occupational positions. It sorts people according to differences in value abilities, channels them into streams of training that develop their skills, and helps them to aspire to various roles that are in keeping with their talent. However, many factors other than the capacity of the student influence his later educational experiences and attainments. These include differences in the level and quality of education available in the country, region or community, difference to access to educational equipment according to his social status, religion, race, and ethnic origins, and differences in the willingness and capability of his parents and to provide the financial and psychological support necessary for the maximization of his talent potentials. Comments from educators indicated that, the blame from lack of good performance has been as a result of neglect and carefree attitude toward academic work by students and parents. Home is the first school for a child where he/she is taught the basic norms and values by the parent before the child leaves for the formal education. Safe and conducive environment coupled with adequate learning facilities would help to boost the intellectual and academic performance of student. Well educated parent would always have the right attitude toward education and provide learning materials such as television, videotapes, novels books, and journals that could facilitate the learning process. The motivation of any intelligent child towards learning is being accelerated by the positive influence of his/her environment while others who lacks motivation are negatively affected (Battle and Macheal, 2007)         The nation has been experiencing a drastic fall in the academic performance of pupils and students at the various levels of education.  Scholars of different school of thought has attributed this ugly trend to many factors such as poor teaching methodology, inadequate instructional facilities and a lot more from the look of things, these scholars seems to heap the blames either on the student or the teachers who most atimes are not actually the immediate causes. However, an observation reveaed that this trend has an undeniable relationship with one parental background in terms of their socio-economic status.  The former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria president Olusegun Obasenjo in his monthly presidential media chat, held in October 2007, cried out in regards to the poor parental concern on academic performance of students that our' graduates are fast becoming more of half baked graduated what a mess.         Meanwhile, as this scenario continues to thrive, many more meaningful individuals both from the academic and non-academic field of the society not only shares their grievances they also point accusing fingers towards the teachers and the students. They give little or no attention to the student's socio-economic background, which from act appearances seem to be one fundamental cause of poor academic performance in schools.         We have it on records that a child spends more time at home with his or her parents than he or she spends in school.  This makes the home of greater influence in this regard.  Little or no wonder it is said ''charity begins at home'' Be that as it may, we cannot over labour the fact that poor performance of a country's citizens at various level of education has a way of tarnishing or beautifying that countries image.         Considering the magnitude of this problem, it therefore becomes very expedient that this project be carried out as it is hoped that it will help in solving the problems or as it were, to a very reasonable extent. 1.2 Statement of the Problem It is almost becoming a common and accepted view that, poor performances of students in our schools is due to the inadequacies parental influence towards academic performance of students and non-challant attitude to study.  This is purely a wrong assumption that needs an investigation as we cannot afford to loss sight of the drastic effect that parental background have impact on the academic performance of students.        Parents who value education can win the fight against all odds to ensure that their children achieve academically. Any schooling reform that does not acknowledge the important of the parents will fail. Rich (2002) moves forward to discuss issues affecting students study habit and academic performances. Family break down and how this influence student’s education. It is clear that family life has a significant impact on student’s education in many ways. In light of this family structure is a serious issue in education, especially given the increasing the rate of divorce and family breakdown due to number of reasons. One of the problems facing institution is how to involve parents in academic matters in order to enhance achievement. Parental involvement in the form of fostering interest and support has a major influence on student’s educational outcomes and attitudes. However many parents feel uninformed about current educational practices and how they can be more involved with their child’s learning.  A number of initiatives have been implemented internationally to encourage home-school links, but the documentation of these initiatives; particularly in the area of institution is limited. Legislation like the Nigeria Schools Act of 1996 compels parents to participate in school governance, but other activities like participation in fund raising, assisting teachers with academic or extramural activities are voluntary and parents must be motivated and trained to participate actively. According to Shinn (2002) parents are usually very involved in their children’s early education but this involvement tends to decrease when children proceed to high school. Therefore the study of this nature will seek to shed more light on the impact of parental influence on the academic performance of student in Federal College of Education, Zaria. 1.3 Research Objectives The following are the research objectives; 1.      To examine how parents influence students’ academic performance in Federal College of Education, Zaria. Kaduna State. 2.       To assessed how parents influences lecturers performance in Federal College of Education, Zaria. Kaduna State. 3.      To assess the influence of parents towards teaching and learning/process in Federal College of Education, Zaria. Kaduna State. 4.      To determine the role of parents towards effective school management in Federal College of Education, Zaria. Kaduna State. 5.      To examine the influence of parents towards enhancing school community relationship in Federal College of Education, Zaria. Kaduna State. 1.4 Research Questions The following research questions guided the study: 1.      What is the influence of parent towards students academic performance in Federal College of Education, Zaria. Kaduna State? 2.      What is the influence of parents on lecturers performance in Federal College of Education, Zaria. Kaduna State? 3.      What is the influence of parent towards teaching/learning process in Federal College of Education, Zaria. Kaduna State? 4.      Does parental influence have any impact on effective school management in Federal College of Education, Zaria. Kaduna State? 5.      Does parent contribute to the falling standard of education in Federal College of Education, Zaria. Kaduna State? 1.5 Research Hypothesis Ho1. The is no significant relationship between impact of parents and students academic performance Ho2. There is no significant relationship between Parental educational qualification and students academic performance. Ho3.  There is no significant relationship between impact of parental influence towards student academic performance. Ho4.  There is no significant relationship between socio economic and students academic performance. 1.6 Basic Assumption  In order for the researcher to proffer solutions to the problem under investigation, the following assumptions were made. That:         It is assumed that, the level of education of parents affects the academic performance of students.        It is assumed that, the socio-economic position of parents plays a dominant role in the academic performance of the child.        It is assumed that, there is an undeniable relationship between living condition at home and the academic performance of students.        It is assumed that, the family structure in terms of monogamy, polygamy and size generally, affects the academic achievement of students.        It is assumed that, the attitude of parents and guidance affects the academic performance of students. 1.7 Scope of the Study The research is strictly restricted to Federal College of Education, Zaria as how parents influence affects students’ academic performance, with the management, lecturers and students’ are the respondents to the research instrument.   1.8 Significance of the Study The significance of this study cannot be over-emphasized. This is because it stands to benefit a lot of impact on parents influence on the academic performance of students in Federal College of Education, Zaria of Kaduna State. Ranging from students, lecturers and parents and students. The research would be of benefit to the government, educational administrators, lecturers, students and parents. The research discussed in detail on how the parents and other educational stakeholders would benefit from the findings and improve the academic performance of students in Federal College of Education, Zaria.     This research will throw more light on the impact on parents influence on the academic performance of students in Federal College of Education, Zaria Kaduna State. This project is of great important or significant to the parents, for the child development. Relationships help him grow up to become a well-rounded human being. Let us see how important education can be in your child’s upbringing. It is also of benefit to the government, Encourage more researcher in these area to examine possibilities of other home based factors that are not included. And Serves as a reference point to other researchers who are interested in the area of parental influence Also it will be a source of benefit to lecturer and other educational administrators in identifying the area of strength and weakness of their student and the influence of the home particularly of the secondary school student. Community members: it will Help and encourage community members who have low background to improve their home environment to enable their children go to school and acquire the culture that goes with it. 1.9 Operational Definition of Terms  Impact: an impact is a high force or shock applied over a short time period when two or more bodies collide. Such a force or acceleration usually has a greater effect than a lower force applied over a proportionally longer period.  Parents: A parent is a caregiver of the offspring in their own species. In humans, a parent is the caretaker of a child (where "child" refers to offspring, not necessarily age)  Influence:  influence refers to the way in which individuals change their behavior to meet the demands of a social environment. It takes many forms and can be seen in conformity, socialization, peer pressure, obedience, leadership, persuasion, sales, and marketing Academic: An academy is an institution of secondary education, higher learning, research, or honorary membership. Academia is the worldwide group composed of professors and researchers at institutes of higher learning Performance: Performance is completion of a task with application of knowledge, skills and abilities. Students: A student is primarily a person enrolled in a school or other educational institution who attends classes in a course to attain the appropriate level of mastery of a subject under the guidance of a teacher or lecturer. FCE, Zaria: The Federal College of Education, Zaria, formerly known as the Advance Teachers' College,(A.T.C) Zaria, is located in Zaria. The town lies between Latitude 11.07 and 12 degrees North and Longitude 07.44 and 8 degrees.