The purpose of this study was to explore and better understand the effect of parent participation on the academic success and well being of students, especially those in the elementary grades. This area of concentration was chosen because extensive research has shown that the early years are the most formative and active interaction by parents can be a positive and deciding factor in guiding and forging the future success of students, socially and psychologically as well as academically. The researcher reviewed literature pertinent to determining the perceptions of teachers and parents on the effects of parent participation on student achievement. Teachers and parents from three elementary schools from the Saint Louis Public Schools were included. The study combined the use of data collected from teachers and parents through questionnaires and selected individual interviews to answer the following research questions: (1) What specific strategies can all stakeholders, teachers, parents, and students, use to motivate and encourage actions that lead to a greater level of parent participation? (2) What specific barriers prevent and/or hinder greater parent participation levels? The study concluded that school and home are thinking alike where the future success of the child is concerned. While each has its distinct areas of responsibility, both of them must work together to help the student grow into a responsible, competent, productive citizen of our highly technological, rapidly changing world and society. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]