Equity in School-Parent Partnerships: Cultivating Community and Family Trust in Culturally Diverse Classrooms - Paperback

by Socorro G. Herrera (Author), Lisa Porter (Author), Katherine Barko-Alva (Author)

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 Moving readers away from out-of-date practices that can potentially marginalize and devalue the cultural assets of families, the authors provide practical, ready-to-use strategies to help schools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:

• Provides guidelines and examples of homework that allow multicultural and multilanguage parents to engage with their children around learning.
• Shows how teachers and school leaders can collaborate to effect more inclusive practices.
• 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.

Author Biography

Socorro G. Herrera is a professor of education and director of the Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy (CIMA) at Kansas State University. She received the 2022 AERA Division K Legacy Award. Lisa Porter is an assistant professor of sociology at James Madison University. Katherine Barko-Alva is an assistant professor of ESL/bilingual education and director of the ESL/Bilingual Education Program at William & Mary, School of Education.