Parents and Teachers Working Together for Social Justice Education

• In Event: The Struggle for Parent and Community Voice in Schools

Abstract

The two case studies presented in this project focus on how low-income parents who many times did not go through the process of formal education themselves can work collaboratively with teachers and schools to create a school to serve local community needs and characteristics. As examples of this collaboration, this paper discusses the “Learning Cycles” in Brazil and the “Migrant Education Project” in California.
These projects illustrate what can be achieved when parents take charge of the education of their children and become more accountable for educational outcomes by working collaboratively with teachers and schools. When parents participate in school planning and curriculum, schools become more relevant and socially just.

Authors

• Fernando Naiditch, Montclair State University

• Elizabeth P. Quintero, California State University - Channel Islands