Engaging Latino Families: Bridging Cultures for Education Success

1. Latino Family Engagement:How to Effectively Engage and Connect with Latino Parents and YouthAndrew Behnke and Sue Rosman

2. The Rundown • Demographics and Culture • Case Studies • Parent Empowerment • Resource List • Next Steps

3. U.S. Population Today in Millions (Migration Policy Institute, 2006; Pew Hispanic, 2007)

4. U.S. Latino Population Today in Millions (Migration Policy Institute, 2006; Pew Hispanic, 2007)

5. Size of the Latino Population (Census 2000, Public Use Microdata, 2006)

6. Growth in Latino Population Gain of 200% + 100.0 to 199.9 57.9 to 99.9 0.0 to 57.8 -0.1to -10 Loss of 10% +

7. NC Latino Population 1990 = 56,667 = 1.1% 2000 = 378,963 = 4.7% 2007 = 643,333 = 7.1% Births to Latinos increased by 1208% from 1990 to 2006. The number went from 1,754 in 1990 to 21,202 in 2006 or 17% of births. (NC Vital Statistics, 2008; Census; 2007)

8. Foreign-Born Population in Other Countries (2003) • Germany – 8.9% • Canada – 18.2% • Switzerland – 20.0% • Australia – 22.8% • Costa Rica – 24.9% • Kuwait – 44.1% Source: OECD Factbook: Axiss Australia. 2006- Faith Action International House

9. Foreign-Born Population in Other Countries (2003) • Germany – 8.9% • Canada – 18.2% • Switzerland – 20.0% • Australia – 22.8% • Costa Rica – 24.9% • Kuwait – 44.1% Source: OECD Factbook: Axiss Australia. 2006- Faith Action International House • USA – 12.4%

10. Latino Family Diversity • Commonalities and Diversity • Immigrants from over 20 countries • One size does not fit all • Language • Acculturation • Generation Status • SES • Life history

11. Latino 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.

12. Latino Values • Machismo – Marianismo misunderstood • Respeto • Familismo • Simpatia • Confianza

13. More Values • Personalismo- warm genuine • close proximity, hand shaking • discussing personal issues • gifts – offering food & drinks • formal at first -> personal

14. Latino Cultural Beliefs • The concept of family engagement is an American concept. • 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. • Some Latino wouldn’t think of going into a classroom and telling the teacher what to do or question their motives and teaching styles! • In Spanish, the word educación can have different meanings than it does in English.

15. Latino Cultural Beliefs • Above all, they expect children to acquire “Buena educación” or good manners (Delgado-Gaitan & Trueba, 1991) • 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. • Get to know a parent’s culture and their expected role within the culture.

16. 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: Math, Social Studies, Science/Biology, Spanish, History, Geography, Chemistry, and English. • Special Education does not exist. • After 9th grade those that can’t afford to continue look for work or immigrate to the U.S. There is a scholarship system but is very limited.

17. Education Basics in Mexico • Schedule differences / uniforms • 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 • Teachers considered experts • Parent-teacher relationships not generally encouraged

18. Case Studies

19. Potential Hispanic HS Students in NC (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, WICHE, 2003)

20. Recent Trends in NC Latino population • 53% pre-K involvement • the lowest in the state • More than half of North Carolina's Latino girls are expected to be pregnant before their 20th birthday. • Latino boys are struggling more than any other group – African American boys next. (Hess, 2000; Zuniga, 2004)

21. Recent Trends in NC Latino population • 44% - 52% of all H.S. Latinos did not graduate in 4 years 2006 in NC. • Only about 3% of NC university students are Latino (Laird, DeBell, & Chapman, 2006).

22. Why Do Latino Students Leave School? • Working by Age 14-15 / Family Obligations • Generational Poverty • Marry Young / Childbirth • Gangs / Delinquency • Limited Higher Education Opportunities (Perriera, 2007)

23. Dropouts in the US Race & Ethnic Characteristics Race/EthnicityDropout Rate White, non-Hispanic 7.3% Black, non-Hispanic 10.9% Hispanic 27.0% Hispanic, immigrant 44.2% Asian/Pacific Islander 3.8% Native American 57.0% (National Center for Education Statistics, 2002. Dropout Rates in the United States: 2000) (Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Civic Report 31 Public School Graduation Rates 2000) (Laird, DeBell, & Chapman, 2006).

24. How Dropouts Hurt North Carolina Lost State Income Tax Revenue $995 Incarceration Costs $1,946 Medicaid Costs $1,496 Annual Public Cost per Dropout $4,437 Dropouts = • Annual cost of $7.5 Billion in lost earnings • Aggregate of $11 Billion annual impact on North Carolina’s economy (Gottlob, 2007)

25. Latino Parents & Academics • Parental involvement has consistently been shown to be related to these outcomes(e.g., Delgado-Gaitan, 1992, 1994; Flouri & Buchanan, 2004; Gutman, Sameroff, & Eccles, 2002; Plunkett & Bámaca-Gómez, 2003) • In fact, parent involvement was found the single strongest predictor of Latino academic performance(Zuniga, 2004)

26. Latino Parents & Academics • Youth achievement is greater when parents: • are involved in school activities • are generally knowledgeable about the school system • monitor and help their children with their homework • provide verbal encouragement • are informed of the youth’s progress • read in front of their children • set higher expectation levels for their children’s academic performance (Delgado-Gaitan, 1992, 1994; Epstein, 1992; Gutman, Sameroff, & Eccles, 2002; Herman, Dornbusch, Herron, & Herting, 1997; Okagaki & Frensch, 1995; Plunkett & Bámaca-Gómez, 2003; Shumow & Miller, 2001)

27. Barriers to Latino Parent Involvement Language/Literacy Unfamiliar and intimidating systems Overcome Barriers Together Attitudes of Personnel Life factors Past Educational Experiences Work schedules Child care Lack of Information Transportation

29. Language Barriers During the first week of school, Linda has been given an application for free and reduced lunches, which she had completed and turned in, leaving blank the questions she couldn’t answer. Linda has been given a number and told she was provisionally approved. A few days later, Linda decided to try one of the lines, one offering pizza or sub sandwiches. When she got to the cash register, the cashier explained that this line accepted only cash and that the number was only good at the regular line. With almost no English, Linda only understood that she needed cash to pay for her food. She did not have enough, she had to return most or all of her food. Her face still turned just telling the story! *Youth stories presented are part of Rev. María Teresa Unger Palmer 2003 Dissertation at UNC Chapel Hill.

30. Language Barriers • 41% Speak English Very Well • Indigenous languages • Variations in Spanish dialects • Code switching • Implications for school settings • Assure a trusted translator can help you (avoid child translation) (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006)

31. Literacy as a Barrier • Literate in Spanish, English, or neither? • False assumption that if they speak Spanish they can read Spanish • Implications for intervention

32. Immigration Status as a Barrier • Undocumented persons • Trust issues • Necessary to assure confidentiality • Hesitancy to use services • Classroom visits • Resident vs. Citizen vs. Worker • Social Security Questions • No Child Left Behind Title 1 • Title VI of 1965 Civil Rights

33. Mental Health Barriers • Immigrant experiences • Fear among undocumented persons • Heightened need for psychological services • Children traumatized • Posttraumatic stress high among immigrants

34. Employment Barriers • Odd shifts - 2/3 work off regular hours • Arduous and Monotonous Labor • Lowest wages but highest hours worked • Lowest unemployment rates in many states but most frequently laid off and for longest spells

35. Successful Practices for Engaging Parents • Create a warm, caring, and inviting school environment. • Communication is the major focus. • make personal calls and visit the home with the support of parent liaisons or translators. • Acknowledge parents’ cultural values and view them as strengths

36. Successful Practices for Engaging Parents • Recognize the families’ strengths. • Resilience • Resourcefulness • Nurturance and support of extended family • High educational expectations for their children (Behnke et al., 2005; Delgado-Gaitan, 1992; Henderson & Mapp, 2002) • Invite members of the extended family to participate in the school activities.

37. Youth Achievement is Greater when Schools: • involve parents in after school activities. • provide bilingual secretaries and counselors. • recruit immigrant parents as advocates, mentors, and volunteers. • involve immigrant parents in steering committees. • provide materials in their languages. • ensure meetings and opportunities for involvement occur at times when parents can attend. • reach out to parents personally (1 ON 1) and make the school a safe place for parents.(Barbour & Barbour, 2001; Delgado-Gaitan, 1992, 1994; Epstein, 1995; Epstein & Salinas, 2004; Machado-Casas, 2005; Scribner, Young, & Pedroza, 1999; Valdes, 1996)

38. Suggestions for Parents • Read to their child. • Discuss the day’s events. • Help with homework and special projects. • Limit television viewing time. • Watch TV with their children and talk about program messages.

39. How Schools Can Involve Fathers • Make a special effort to include fathers in: • Parent/teacher conferences. • After-school and extracurricular activities. • Mentoring and tutoring activities. • Encourage fathers to be involved • Let fathers follow their interests: Internet, magazines, sports

40. Effective and Engaging Parent/Teacher Conferences • Hold meetings in locations individuals are familiar with. • Consider the work schedule of the families- Flexibility • Evenings and weekends are best. • Remember footbol (soccer), telenovelas, local events, religious festivals, etc.

41. Effective and Engaging Parent/Teacher Conferences • Hang signs in Spanish leading to the meeting room, restrooms, and other needed facilities. • Focus on positive first • a portfolio of child’s successes • Discuss growth areas and plan • End on a positive

42. Effective and Engaging Events with Parents • Extend the invitation to all family members. • Provide childcare nearby. • Make things less Formal • Fun activities: role plays, hands-on activities, drama, video, use of personal history, culturally relevant materials. • Written material a supporting player

43. Involving Parents • Appeal to parents and to children • “Mom this is something you are doing for your child” and “Juanita lets get your dad coming out” • Already involved parents recruiting others • Incentives to recruit • Commercial sponsorship?

44. Just Remember Are you addressing: • language • culture • beliefs Is it based on: • funds of knowledge • interests • strengths

45. Hispanic/Latino Organizations • Adelante Education Coalition: www.adelantenc.org • NABE: www.nabe.orgNational Association of Bilingual Education • LULAC: www.lulac.org League of United Latin American Citizens • MALDEF: Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund, www.maldef.org • Nation Council of La Raza: www.nclr.org • Pew Hispanic Center:www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/pomr012604nr.cfm • A Dream Deffered: http://adreamdeferred.org/

46. Next Steps • What is one thing you can do that will help you work with Latino parents? • What additional training or support do you need?