Waiting for "Superman"

Waiting for "Superman" is a groundbreaking documentary that takes a close look at the state of our nation's public school system. At NFI, we believe that the system needs fixing, but that dads can play a crucial role, today, in helping their children succeed in school.

Get Involved

3 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in School
The stats show that when you get involved, not only does your child achieve more, his/her school is also safer and more productive. 

Get these three simple things you can do to help your child, and in turn, our nation's schools.  Read more

Waiting for Superman Discussion Guide
Check out the movie and then use this guide to spur discussion with your family.  Download the guide

Donate Today
Help us continue to engage fathers and raise awareness of the importance of father involvement in our nation's schools.  Donate today

The Father Factor in Education

The data is clear - when fathers are not involved, children struggle more in school. Take a look:

• Fatherless children are twice as likely to drop out of school.
  
  
• Father involvement in schools is associated with the higher likelihood of a student getting mostly A's.
  
  
• Ten percent of children living with both parents have ever repeated a grade, compared to 20 percent of children in stepfather families and 18 percent in mother-only families.
  
  
• Students in single-parent families or stepfamilies are significantly less likely than students living in intact families to have parents involved in their schools.
  
  
• In 2001, 61 percent of 3- to 5-year olds living with two parents were read aloud to everyday by a family member, compared to 48% of children living in single- or no-parent families.
  
  
• Kindergarteners who live with single-parents are over-represented in those lagging in health, social and emotional, and cognitive outcomes.
  
  
• When fathers get involved on a personal level with their child schooling, it increases the likelihood of their child's achievement.
  
  
• Half of all children with highly involved fathers in two-parent families reported getting mostly A's through 12th grade, compared to 35.2% of children of nonresident father families.