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TEP 138 Class #5 What do Parents and Communities Want from Schools?

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Romo and Falbo: Latino High School Graduation The use of norm-referenced tests to track students decreases likelihood that Hispanic students will graduate from high school, succeed in college, or obtain a good job. The school systems function to perpetuate inequality i.e. parents with more education work to get students into honors type courses.

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The educational level of parents is significant in determining a students chance of graduating. Cannot assist with homework Have little knowledge of schools and system Affects the willingness to advocate for their student College bound fate is sealed early in middle school

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Education and Money Increases the Chances of Graduation Low Wages = Long Hours Less Opportunity to Monitor Children There tends to be more children to monitor Children do not want their parents to go to the school for shame Children may have to go to work to help the family

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Tracking Standardized test scores (including norm referenced) and grades are the primary references for counselors to assign the three tracks: College prep Regular Vocational

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Labeling students (e.g. gifted students, not gifted,) tracks high performers into the high track and low performers into low track thus securing the initial rankings from kindergarten on. --The high track writes more, reads more, does more math; -- The low track writes less, reads less, does less math

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Parents want to be informed honestly in language they can understand regarding the status of their children: -at risk of dropping out and not graduating from high school -at risk of not being eligible to apply to a four year university directly -informed about the lower probability of of two year college matriculation to four year university graduation

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Romo and Falbo advocate: elimination of all Norm Reference Tests (NRTs) a modification of the case load and role school counselor away from course scheduler to motivator to meet high standards

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All Parents Want A High School Diploma for their children Violence eliminated at the schools Parents and schools to be allies

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Finding a Pro-School Peer Group Whites: kickers preps heads skaters punkers new wavers Blacks Mixed: jocks nerds Hispanic: Generally anti-nerd --> school boy immigrant Mexicans Mexican American

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There is no single Mexican culture --> many cultures: different parts of Mexico, bilingual, non-Spanish speaking, The School Culture is primarily white and more homogeneous than the home cultures of the students I.e. mostly white and college educated Parents want greater emphasis on cultural activities to socialize and decrease alienation.

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Hispanic parents expect schools to take responsibility. Parents believe the school contains the experts and should know how to motivate students to stay in school, do schoolwork, and graduate. The parents claim they have done all they know how. Is this too much for the schools to take on? Whose kids are they? What about the larger community?

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African American AVID Students (Hubbard) Males: Sports + Scholarship leads to College Academics less specific about careers Females: Grades + Academic Scholarship leads to College and Career better their future lives by having careers

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Parents Males: pushed college and military if no sports scholarship, stay local, attend 2 year college and engage in sports Females: pushed to do well academically want children to be better off than they are advocate traditionally black colleges/universities I.e. 4 year orientation

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Themes from parents to females Dont make the same mistakes I did E.g. Marry young, have kids, quit school, (negative example) Pride: hard evidence from family life e.g. had to return to school to better their lives Education is the path to a better future. (Positive role model)

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Themes from the community Women are the breadwinners and heads of households Education allows mobility, not marriage The female expects to be the primary wage earner. The female is adamant regarding her ability to stand alone if the male partner falls through. Downplay romance and favor education

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Themes to males High school coaches support academics No parent research in study Media portrayal: They will not succeed They will end up in jail They face discrimination and economic hardship

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Anecdotes Robert - Parents thought the courses he took in middle and high schools would prepare him for college (Repeats algebra; repeatedly fails writing sample) - Friends had given up on education and good job prospects - avoid challenging courses There was a conflict between peer values and family values. Parent support positive

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James: 57% absentee rate 15 years old in 7th grade Grade retention yields vocational track which became a gateway to dropping out. Parents are out of touch No support Olivia: Beaten by mother Negative role model with no support School is a refuge On her own at an early age

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Sadikifu: 2 parents then single mom who treated Sadi like a peer Mother constant lectures re-academics; dont make the same mistakes of father/mother Negative. role model with positive support Toya: Abusive step-father Elementary school sanctuary Negative role model with little support

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Venola: Separated family; mother a survivor Positive role model with support Venola: You have to navigate your own future. If not, youll end up with nothing Miesha: Separated family - brother Raymond takes over care Mother works 60 hour week Positive role model, no support. Raymond did not want Miesha to repeat his mistakes - Negative role model with positive support