Engaging Hispanic Students

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Engaging Hispanic Students Families
Bienvenidos!
Elida Perez-Knapp Community Leadership
Development Coordinator The Center for Family
Resources
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Who are Latino/Hispanic families?

• Latino/H families refer to families who are
  recent immigrants or have EMIGRATED or DESCENDED
  from a broad range of Latin American countries
• Latino/H families in the US vary in terms of
  socioeconomic status, level of education, years
  of residence in the US, level of bilingualism
• There are significant ethnic cultural
  differences among Latino/H cultures
• For the purpose of this presentation, we will
  focus on the largest Latino/H population in
  Georgia Mexicans

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Diversity within the population

• Latino/H population in the US includes
• Mexican American
• Chicanos
• Mexican Immigrants
• 31 States and the Federal District
• Central American
• South American
• The Caribbean Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Cuba
• Costa Rico

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Ethnic Differences

• Although Latinos/Hispanics share a common
  heritage of
• Language
• History
• Culture
• And beliefs,
• To speak of LATINOS/HISPANICS in any generic
  way necessarily masks NUMEROUS cultural,
  linguistic, national, religious and other
  differences within the hugely diverse groups of
  peoples referred to by some as LATINO/HISPANICwe
  recognize this. SO, just keep in mind that the
  variation WITHIN groups is at least as
  significant as the variation across groups.

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Why do they come?

• Universal human desire
• Aspire for a better life
• Instinctive for the advancement
• of family life
• and
• The American Dream

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Education Basics in Mexico

• Education is free up to 9th grade. Those that can
  afford it continue onto higher grades.
• Books are free.
• Basic classes are Math, Social Studies,
  Science/Biology, Spanish, History, Geography,
  Chemistry, and English. Special Education is not
  offered
• After 9th grade those that cant afford to
  continue look for work or immigrant to the U.S.
  There is a scholarship system but is very limited
  (almost non-existent) .
• No school services such as free lunch or school
  nurse
• School reform was implemented a few years ago to
  included grades 7th-9th as mandatory and free.

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A Critical Situation

• Approximately 50 of new immigrant students leave
  school prior to graduation
• 38 of new immigrant students are held back at
  least one grade
• New immigrant students are significantly below
  national norms on academic achievement tests. At
  11th grade, new immigrant students average at 8th
  grade achievement level on these tests.
• http//nces.ed.gov/pubs2002/droppub_2001/8.asp?nav
  1

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Why New Immigrants Leave School

• To Work.
  
• Work is honorable -- Family Comes First
• They are the generational poor from rural Mexico.
  
• Poverty is part of their lives. They would not
  leave their country if they could make a living.
• Normal to begin working by age 14-15
• Marry young
• Become discourage with an unfamiliar educational
  system
• Many family and/or societal obstacles
  
  

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Obstacles to school involvement acculturation
Do not speak English/Spanish
Unfamiliar and intimidating education system
Attitudes of School Personnel
Life factors
Past Educational Experiences
Work schedules
Child care
Cultural Differences Of Parental Role
Transportation
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According to Research

• Deficit thinking is pervasive, and NEGATIVELY
  affects family engagement especially when talking
  about Latino families (Valencia Black 2002)
• for example Large numbers of youngsters come
  into school with absolutely no background, either
  academic or social.
• At Risk rhetoric is problematic because it
  tends to overlook any strengths and promise of
  the student so labeled, while drawing attention
  to the presumed shortcomings of the individual.
• Empty vacuum theory

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Mexican Cultural Values often Clash with the
American Way

• Latino families must cope with the values and
  expectations of two very distinct cultures as
  they navigate their way through the multifaceted
  educational system.
• They must deal with an unfamiliar system powerful
  enough to alter their relationships with their
  children, their extended families, and the
  communities where they live.
• PTA-Family Engagement vs Latino Beliefs of PI

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The American Dream BecomesThe American Nightmare

• Assumptions / Stereotypes
• Educators, community members and other
  educational stakeholders may believe that ALL
  Latino students
• Do not care about school
• Do not want to learn
• Do not come to school ready to learn
• Use drugs and belong to gangs
• Engage in violence
• Cannot achieve
• Have cultural backgrounds incompatible with
  schools
• Do not know English and dont want to learn
  English
• Are illegal immigrants
• Do not merit help and do not deserve to be taken
  seriously
• (Turnbaugh Secada, 1999)

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American vs new immigrant definition of
Success

• American beliefs
• Education professional work
• not physically demanding
• high income
• Mexican/immigrant beliefs
• Strong work ethic all work is honorable
• Family needs come first

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Latino Cultural Beliefs related to school

• The concept of family engagement is an American
  concept.
• In Spanish, the word educación has a different
  meaning than it does in English.
• Teachers in Mexico are seen as high ranking
  members of society, on par with doctors, lawyers
  and priests.
• Typically, children are taught to respect
  teachers and not to question them.
• This is similar in the older Latino generation
  who wouldnt think of coming into a classroom and
  telling the teacher what to do or question their
  motives and teaching styles!

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The New Vision

• Immigrant families bring the strengths of
  resilience and resourcefulness which are
  important attributes that the school can utilize.

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Hispanics in GA

• As of July 1, 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau
  estimated that there were almost 703,246
  Hispanics residing in GA
• Approximately 68 of Hispanic Georgians are of
  Mexican origin. Puerto Ricans, 5.3, Cubans 2.3,
  the remaining 24.4 are other Hispanic origin.

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Largest Areas Populated by Hispanics
City Hispanic Population
Albany 2,370
Athens-Clarke County 10,699
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta 423,576
Augusta-Richmond County 8,990
Brunswick 3,218
Columbus 10,180
Dalton 30,682
Gainesville 41,360
Hinesville-Fort Stewart 5,136
Macon 3,601
Rome 6,551
Savannah 7,941
Valdosta 4,872
Warner Robbins 4,688 Census Bureau 2004
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What Can You Do??
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Latino Families and Education
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The New Vision
Latino families have funds of knowledge that
can be important educational resources for
schools and in classrooms. (Gonzalez et al.,
1995 Moll et al., 1992). Many studies of new
immigrants have reported that even though they
have reported more obstacles to school
involvement (language, feeling unwelcome in
schools, lack of knowledge as to how the American
schooling system works) Latino parents
nonetheless reported high educational
expectations for their children. (Delgado-Gaitan
1992 Henderson Mapp, 2002 Moreno López,
1999)
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The New Vision
Families see their essential role as ensuring
that children have food, clothing, shelter and
that they are socialized into the norms and
expectations of the family. To know their own
culture and their expected role within the
culture. Above all, they expect children to
acquire Buena educación (Delgado-Gaitan
Trueba, 1991), or good manners

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The New Vision

• Successful Practices for Engaging Parents
• Communication is the key connector.
• Assure that communication is personalized and
  bilingual in English and the primary language
  make personal calls and visit the home with the
  support of parent liaisons or translators.
• Acknowledge parents cultural values and view
  them as strengths, incorporating home cultures
  into the school curriculum.

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The New Vision

• Since teachers and administrators attitudes can
  have a significant impact in parent involvement,
  provide staff trainings on Mexican/Latino culture
  and the Spanish language.
• Language Barrier The language barrier has not
  prevented them from living, working, surviving,
  buying and contributing to society.
• Do not reinvent the wheel. Collaborate with other
  programs or agencies that have a successful
  record of engaging Latino immigrant families.

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ABCs of Family Engagement

• Acknowledge
• Let parents know that you value their opinions
  and knowledge. Remember, parents are the
  primary teachers of their children. Parents
  instill all the fundamental values and beliefs
  that molds children into who they are and will
  become.
• Build
• Build a relationship of mutual respect and open
  communication. Parents will respond in kind.
• Care
• What events in their lives might be effecting
  their childs learning? Try to see the world
  through the familys eyes.

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• How can you increaseyour knowledge of Latino
  culture?
• Value the experiences knowledge of
  
  bicultural/bilingual students or parents and use
  
  these as an assest.
• Read books about Mexican immigrant families
  and their experiences
• Create an International Bulletin Board
  that
  highlights different culture celebrations
  and
  other events.
• Post bilingual signage throughout the school
• Plan multicultural events with parents input
• International Day (geography lesson)
• Family Literacy - Folklore Events

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Hispanic/Latino Organizations

• Latin American Association http//www.latinamerica
  nassoc.org
• NABE http//www.nabe.org
  National Association of Bilingual
  Education
• LULAC http//www.lulac.org
  League of United
  Latin American Citizens
• MALDEF Mexican American Legal Defense Education
  Fund maldef.org
• Nation Council of La Raza http//www.nclr.org
• Pew Hispanic Center

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Economic Impact

• In 2007 GA ranked tenth in the U.S. with the
  largest Hispanic market at 14 billion
  Selig Center for Economic Growth
• The largest Hispanic buying power is in the metro
  Atlanta area at more than 7.6 billon, an
  increase of 861 since 1990. Selig Center for
  Economic Growth, UGA
• Ten of Atlantas top 25 minority-owned firms are
  owned by Hispanics. Atlanta Business Chronicle
• Atlanta has approximately 21 periodicals 10
  radio stations focused on serving Hispanics.

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Elida Perez-Knapp,
Family Community Liaison
elidaperezknapp_at_theCFR.org
Gracias y Buena Suerte!