Es El Momento: The Potential of Spanish Language TV in Educating Families About How to Get to College

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Abstract

The perceptions of Spanish-speaking Latino parents about the media as a vehichle to provide college knowledge were studied. The focus of this paper is on the role of Spanish language television. Parent focus groups were conducted exploring college related material viewed on TV, the utility of this content, and parents’ suggestions for utilizing TV as a medium for educating immigrant and first-generation families about how to help their children get to college. Noted was that the majority of college related content on TV were commercials for proprietary institutions, inspirational because of the “before and after” student testimonies. PSAs on college-going were motivational, but left parents wanting more, specifically, information about the steps needed to get to college.

Authors

• Amy J. Fann, University of North Texas

• Mayra Olivares-Urueta, Tarrant County College