ABSTRACT
The objective of the study was to determine the influence of family background and classroom correlates of students’ academic achievement in physics in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River state. To achieve the objective, four null hypotheses were posited and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Correlational research design was adopted for the study. A sample of one hundred and fifty (150) senior secondary school students was randomly selected for the study. The selection was done through the probability random sampling technique. Questionnaire was the instrument used to measure students’ family background, classroom comfort as well as students’ interpersonal skills. The Physics Achievement Test (PAT) was also used to measure students’ academic achievement. Chi-square distribution analysis and Pearson product moment correlation technique were used as statistical tools for testing the hypotheses. The 0.05 level of significance was used for testing of each hypothesis. The results showed that family background (parents educational level and marital status of parents) influence the academic achievement of students in physics. In classroom environment, there is no relationship between classroom comfort and the academic achievement in physics but there is a significant relationship between students interpersonal skills and the academic achievement of students in physics. Sequel to the above findings, some recommendations were made, such as; parents should ensure that they avoid family crises to avoid the destabilization of the emotional state of their children in order to maintain academic success. Also, that teachers should ensure that the personal skills of students’ are identified and considered while planning for their lessons. Lastly, home teacher should be provided by parents in cases of parents who have not acquired formal education in order to enable the children to fill the gap with peers from educated families.