Determinants of Academic Achievement Among Secondary School Students in Kericho County, Kenya

The mean score for mocks exams has been reducing for the last three years, therefore study tried to find out if student mocks (CATs) correlate with family background from which student came from. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of parental level of education, parental level of income, parental occupation and family size on student’s academic achievement. The study found out that family background indeed influence student academic achievement. Correlational research design was applied to analyze the data. Education production function theory was used to guide the study. 1809 form four students were the target population for the study. Simple random and stratified sampling method was employed to achieve the sample. Questionnaire used to collect data was validated by educational experts from Kenyatta University. Reliability of the instrument was obtained through test-retest. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the collected data and quantitative data was presented in tables. Frequencies, regression coefficient and Pearson’s coefficient correlation was used to present data analyzed. SPSS version 20 was utilized to generate summarized information in tables. Analyzed results showed that parent level of education, parental occupation and parental income express positive relationship with the student academic achievement however the size of the family express negative relationship with student academic achievement. Parents should participate in academic activities of their children and further studies regarding student academic achievement and family background should be done.