Are School Courses Related to Central Exam Success More Important in Children's Education? Parental View and Related Factors

The present study, considering the influence of parents on the education of their children, examines how parents rate the importance of courses that are related (Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Turkish, and Foreign Language Education) and not related (Physical Education, Ethics, Art) to central exam success. Specifically, the study investigated the relationship between parents' perception of the importance of a subject that is related and not related to central exam success and parents' educational degree and income level, and their children's level of education. The study involved 540 parents from the central districts of Sinop. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used in data analysis. Findings revealed that most of the parents perceived Mathematics as the most important subject for the education of their children. However, a few parents ranked Physical Education, Art, and Social Studies courses as the most important subject for children's education. The logistic regression analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between the parents' perception of the importance of subjects that are related or not related to central exam success and parents' degree of education and children's level of education. The study findings were discussed given the influence of central exams and parents on Turkish Education System.