The article for today’s reading really pertains to what we spoke about yesterday. While we spoke about parental involvement only concerning charter schools, this collection of studies focused on parental involvement as a whole.
During our class discussions we have spent a lot of time speaking about how parental involvement is lacking in under privileged and low SES neighborhoods. In a study done by Barrueco, S., López, M. L., & Miles, J. C. (2007). Parenting behaviors in the first year
Of Life: A national comparison of Latinos and other cultural communities. The findings showed that Latino families are much less likely to read to their children. In many of our previous readings we have read how low the reading levels are in underprivileged children. If parents had the time or could find the time to read to their children at an early age they would be able to foster a love for reading and if not that than just a general vocabulary.
In a pervious education class, we read an article that spoke about the word gap. While I do not have the figures in front of me I do remember the findings really shocking me. Children from a higher SES come into kindergarten with much larger word bank and grammar knowledge than children from a low SES,
In another study Robinson, G., & Fenwick, L. (2007). More than homework, a snack, and basketball: After school programs as an oasis of hope for Black parents in four cities. Spoke about how when parents were given a voice they really felt more connected.” Although this study focuses on the families’ view of after school programs, the researchers also state that these adults were excited and honored to be heard. Having someone listen to their ideas and concerns about their children’s education was important to the families participating in the focus groups”. This quote also really pertains to the involvement that parents have in charter schools. Children and parents become a community with their charter school and this really changes how they act and interact with their Childs education.
Lastly I would like to state that parental involvement is so vital to a child and while these articles come up with helpful plans, there is no direct solution because all of these programs need funding and just like with President Obama’s promise of “promise neighborhoods” that are modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone, it is very hard to find the funding for these projects and it is essential to
