Essay on "Parent Involvement in Elementary Schools"

Essay 4 pages (1404 words) Sources: 5

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Parents' Involvement in Elementary Schools

"The parent is the primary force that propels the child into the world of discovery, the world of literacy, and the world of success…parents are eager to help their children, and, when instructed in appropriate literacy activities, can make a difference in the academic progress that their children make…" (Gilliam, et al., 2004, p. 226).

Parents of elementary students experience tremendous pressure during this period of economic recession. Job security, making the mortgage on time, keeping nutritious food on the table for their children -- these issues have taken on a far greater level of importance because of the struggling American economy. but, notwithstanding the additional economic and social stressors, what is the extent of Latino parents' involvement in their children's education at the elementary school level? What research has been done? What additional research is needed?

Why it is Vital for Latino Parents to Participate at the Elementary Level

Unfortunately by the time they get to high school, young Latinos have been -- and often still are -- on the fringe of the dropout milieu. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov) (NCES) in the year 1980 the dropout rate for "Hispanic" youth ages 16-24 was 35.2%. Compare that with Caucasian youth the same age (11.4%) and African-American youth (19.1%). A few years later, in 2001, the Latino youth dropout rate was reduced to 27% of those in school and by 2007 the rate had shrunk to 21.4% of those Latinos in high school (compared with 8.4% dropping out in the Black community and 5.3% of Caucas
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ian youth dropping out) (NCES). Given those data, a strategy of strong parental participation while their children are in elementary school helps build a foundation for the future, and a thirst to succeed.

Meanwhile, compelling reasons for focusing on this aspect of the Latino education experience include: a) Latino youth go through "disproportionate rates of mental health problems" including depression and suicide; b) the fact that Latino youth account for almost 30% of the total Latino population in the U.S.; and c) the dropout rate for Latino youth is unacceptably high, especially in comparison to other cultural groups (Garcia, et al., 2008, p. 487). Writing in the Journal of School Health, researcher Carolyn Garcia asserts that 1 in 5 Latino high school students had suicidal thoughts in 2009; of those, ninth grade girls are most prone to consider taking their own lives (Garcia, et al., 2008, p. 487). According to Garcia's data, between 30% and 40% of Latino girls in 9th grade "reported suicidal thoughts" and between 14% and 19% of those same females actually "attempted suicide" in 2009.

More than that, Latino youth "experience disproportionate rates of health problems including mental health problems" -- and these barriers to optimal mental and physical health are due to "economic, social, and political realities in their lives" (Garcia, p. 487). Indeed, the need for parental participation and influence at the elementary school level is paramount to the later success of their children. If a Latino child in elementary school does not have the support of the parent, and the parent is not a willing participant on occasion, a chance is being missed to provide the cultural and practical guidance needed for later academic and career success.

Preparing Latino Children Through Parental Participation

Some Latino parents trust the school system to carry out the duties of educating their children. Nena Torrez writes, "Latino parents are not advocates for their children at the school site" (Torrez, 2004, p. 54). The reason for this is cultural in nature, Torrez explains. "…the structure of the school systems in Mexico is different [than the U.S.]." Given their "…ignorance of the system, parents tend to rely on the decisions made by school faculty and counselors." But don't confuse "…the lack of participation with apathy," Torrez continues. "There are a number of different reasons…such as low levels of English proficiency, little understanding that they should be proactive in advocating for their [child]…work schedule demands, negative experiences with schools, a lack of sensitivity [from] school personnel…" (Torrez, p. 58).

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Quoted Instructions for "Parent Involvement in Elementary Schools" Assignment:

Paper: Review of the Literature

Topic: Parental Involvement in Elementary Schools

TEXTS: Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Applications (Gay, Mills, Airasian)

Publication Manual of the american Psychological Association 6th edition

Review of the Literature

Prepare a written literature review on a specific topic. The topic should be related to your major such as educational administration. The review should include predominately primary sources.

Review relevant literature as appropriate for the topic you select. This should provide an interpretative summary of the topic. The purpose of the literature review is to provide the historical background for a study, theoretical framework, and current research developments. A good review critiques the research studies and shows how the findings relate to the problem under study. This provides the link between existing knowledge and the problem you might want to study. The major purpose of the literature review is to determine what has already been done that relates to a proposed study.

The review should provide an understanding and insight into the problem and provide a framework for a study. It should point out research strategies and specific data collection approaches that have and have not been found to be useful in investigating a similar topic. Differentiate between literature and research. There should be smooth transitions into sections and from one paragraph to another.

Introduction

A review of the literature should start with an introduction that is untitled. Provide an orientation to the purpose of a study and refer to the topics to be covered in the chapter. The order of topics is from the global view to the specific. Generally one paragraph is sufficient.

A second paragraph should include how the review was conducted, the search engines utilized, and key words used to locate material.

Use subheadings as appropriate. Based on the literature you have gathered, identify the three or so *****big***** ideas or concepts related to the topic. Describe the relationship between these ideas. Each of the big ideas you have identified in the literature will become a heading or section of the review. There are three samples presented here.

Historical Overview

The historical overview provides information and context for the topic.

Relevant Theoretical Literature

In this section discuss the theoretical framework(s) that are underpinning the topic. For example a specific behavioral theory could be the basis for an instructional strategy or behavior modification strategy. Describe the theory and the supporting research.

Relevant Research

Review of relevant research studies related to the project. Discuss the existing knowledge base and identify the gaps in knowledge and make a link to your study. Review research studies that have contributed to current understanding and contribute to the need for your study. You need to cover thoroughly the research from the last 5 years. Classic research from more than 5 years may be cited as appropriate. You may have several headings related to different educational strategies.

Implications for Practice

Discuss the implications for educational practice raised by the research and literature you have reviewed. Given what the research says, what does this mean for your school, classes, or other teachers, counselors, or administrators?

Implications for Inquiry

What implications for future research can you draw from the literature you have reviewed? What additional kinds of studies should be completed?

Summary

Provide a brief summary of the literature reviewed and be sure to link to the methodology of your project. Discuss existing scientific knowledge base for your problem and identify gaps in the knowledge base and make reference or link to your study and methodology.

Use APA form and style in preparing the written paper.

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Parent Involvement in Elementary Schools.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2010, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/parents-involvement-elementary-schools/360359. Accessed 4 Oct 2024.

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