There was an article by the APS (Association for Psychological Science) in America last year (2012), about an experiment they carried out with 181 high school students. One group of parents were sent glossy materials about the value of careers in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), and a link to a Choices Ahead website which had similar information. A control group of parents did not receive these materials.
Students from families who understood the benefits of STEM subjects were more likely to enrol in these courses; the parents viewed them as more useful, students were more likely to discuss them, and in combination this increased students' perceptions of the usefulness of these courses.
One fact is interesting for Academies and schools in less well off areas: it's well known that children of better educated parents are more likely to pursue maths and science, and this APS investigation showed that even a modest programme of getting parents on board has the same effect.
You can read the full article here: http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/uncategorized/want-to-get-teens-interested-in-math-and-science-target-their-parents.html
Remember, you can always give your Year 10s and 11s a catalytic boost
by booking a Mathemotivation workshop here: http://www.mathemotivation.co.uk
