This article examines parents' perceptions of children's school performance, by analyzing the contents of semi-structured interviews with 32 parents, grouped in sixteen parents of students with performance classified as successful and, in the other half, parents of students with school failure. As for school performance, both groups attribute responsibilities to the child, to the teacher and also to the family itself. The results for both groups reveal that the family should promote valorization of school and of homework assistance, and also that school needs to revise its values and procedures concerning students and their families. So, we emphasize the need of parents being better oriented by school so that they can help their children. Strategies suggested by school, or by other parents, may help parents who, because of their work, can not be present at school.
school performance; family-school relationship; fundamental teaching
