Full Description
Starting from the premise that children learn better when their learning community respects their families and cultures, this thought-provoking resource shows what it means-and what it takes-to include today's diverse parents in their children's learning. Moving readers away from out-of-date practices that can potentially marginalize and devalue the cultural assets of families, the authors provide practical, ready-to-use strategies to help schools re-envision the meaning of parental involvement and engagement. Based on the research and K-12 teaching experience of three educators, chapters address contemporary issues such as the absent parent, homework, vulnerable populations, limitations of current school-based family programs, and pedagogies of hope. Book Features:
Explores the multiple meanings of parental involvement and engagement.
Examines the limitations of current approaches to parental engagement, particularly for language-minority parents.
Reframes the conversation surrounding parental engagement to emphasize community and parental empowerment.
Addresses the importance of parental engagement amid today's political discourse surrounding immigration.
Includes vignettes, discussion questions, visuals, and engagement activities.
Contents
Foreword Luciana C. de Oliveira xi
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xv
1. Questioning Limiting Visions: Reconceptualizing Engagement Possibilities 1
Introduction 1
With the Best of Intentions, We've Failed to Arrive 3
Do unto Them: Unidirectional Models for Parental Engagement and Involvement 11
Beyond the Models: Families as Equal Contributors for Social and Academic Growth 16
Conclusion 22
References 23
2. "They Just Don't Show Up" 27
Introduction 27
Mi Abuelita & Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter 28
Living Through Language: Community and School 30
Principal Thompson's Confession 34
Conclusion 39
Check It Out, Plan It Out, Try It Out 40
Momentos de Reflexión (Moments of Reflection) 41
References 41
3. Burying Fossilized Practices: Disruption los Deberes (Homework) 43
Introduction 43
Martha's Story 44
Homework as a Fossilized Practice 46
The Monday Packet 47
From Pendulum Swings to Paradigm Shifts: Disrupting Los Deberes 49
Solving the Homework Problem 50
Disrupting Los Deberes 51
Innovation Artifact: Finding New Ways to Engage Students and Families with Homework 53
Transformative Pedagogical Practices: Fostering Relations Between Teachers and CLD Families 58
Conclusion 63
Check It Out, Plan It Out, Try It Out 65
Momentos de Reflexión (Moments of Reflection) 65
References 66
4. Broadening Conceptions of Community in Engagement 69
Introduction 69
Atifa, the Community Peacekeeper 72
Revisiting Cariño 73
To Cultural Competency and Beyond 74
Traditional Partners with a Twist 80
Conclusion 86
Check It Out, Plan It Out, Try It Out 87
Momentos de Reflexión (Moments of Reflection) 87
References 88
5. Planting on Fertile Ground: ESL/Dual Language Programs and Parental Engagement 91
Introduction 91
Leveling the Ground: Addressing Challenges of ESL and DLBE Settings for CLD Families 93
La Señora Lupe y Sus Tamales Sagrados (Mrs. Lupe and Her Sacred Tamales) 97
Cultivating the Soil: Possibilities of DLBE Programs as Models for School Community 100
Melanie, Bill, y (and) Mackenzie 100
Conclusion 106
Check It Out, Plan It Out, Try It Out 107
Momentos de Reflexión (Moments of Reflection) 107
References 108
6. Projecting Our Socialization No Longer: Pobrecitos Hijos y Padres (Pity for Poor Childrenand Parents) 111
Introduction 111
Accommodation Readiness: Socialized to Expect 113
Critical Reflection: Family Is Where Our Own Stories Begin 117
Reflection on the ARS Levels: Implications for Parental Confianza, Cariño, y Respeto (Trust, Loving Care, and Respect) 118
Rewriting the Narratives: Owning Our Historical Reality 131
Conclusion 136
Check It Out, Plan It Out, Try It Out 138
Momentos de Reflexión (Moments of Reflection) 138
References 139
7. Furthering the Pedagogy of Hope 143
Introduction 143
The District 144
The School 146
The Classroom 149
Defining Capital Through an Asset-Based Perspective 152
Love and Hope: One Question and Step at a Time 154
Conclusion 157
Check It Out, Plan It Out, Try It Out 159
Unity 159
References 160
Index 161
About the Authors 169
