Family Structure Impacts Student Outcomes, Research Shows

Research published by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) indicates a strong correlation between family structure and student academic outcomes, with children from intact, two-parent married households generally demonstrating better educational performance. The findings are detailed in a paper titled "Family Structure, a Key Factor Hidden in Plain Sight: The Case for Federal Reporting in Education," co-authored by Ian V. Rowe, Brad Wilcox, and Grant Bailey. Ian V. Rowe, a senior fellow at AEI, discussed this research on "The Education Exchange" podcast, hosted by Paul E. Peterson, director of Harvard University’s Program on Education Policy and Governance. Peterson noted that while heroic single parents can and do raise successful children, the average child benefits significantly from having both a mother and a father present in the home daily. He cited statistics showing a decline in children living with two married parents, from 88% in 1960 to 70% in the 1990s, with the figure remaining around that level since. This contrasts with the current situation where two-thirds of children under 18 live in a two-parent married family, meaning one-third do not. The AEI paper argues that family structure is a crucial factor in student achievement that is often overlooked in public discourse and educational policy. The research suggests that federal reporting in education should consider incorporating data on family structure to gain a more comprehensive understanding of educational disparities and their root causes. While acknowledging exceptions, such as successful individuals raised in single-parent households or those who have overcome adversity, the study emphasizes the statistical advantage conferred by a stable, two-parent home environment. The implications of this research extend to educational policy discussions, suggesting that interventions and support systems might be more effectively designed if they account for the foundational role of family stability in a child's educational journey. The podcast episode, "The Education Exchange Ep. 456," aired on August 17, 2026, and featured Rowe elaborating on his team's findings and the rationale behind advocating for federal reporting on family structure in educational contexts. The research aims to bring a less frequently discussed but potentially impactful variable into the forefront of educational analysis and policy-making, encouraging a broader perspective on the factors influencing student success beyond traditional school-based metrics.