Parents' Conceptualizations of School Quality: Does Race/Ethnicity Matter?

• In Event: 60.083 - Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: 60.083-9 - Inequality: Individual and Family Resources

Abstract

When given a choice, Low-SES parents enroll their children in low-performing schools even when reporting “academic quality” as a highly important factor in their decision making. While this disconnect has frequently been observed in the academic literature, additional research is necessary to determine the reasons for it and how race/ethnicity influences these reasons. Our study includes 90 semi-structured, qualitative interviews of low-SES parents of young, school-aged children. Our interviews include Pacific Islander families, Hispanic/Latino families, and white families from similar social class backgrounds. Based on these interviews, we find that race/ethnicity shapes parents’ conceptualizations of “good schools” and how they use these conceptualizations to discuss the decisions they make about their children’s schooling.

Authors

• Cami Trujillo, Brigham Young University

• Daniela Barriga, Brigham Young University

• Maika Malualelagi Tuala, Brigham Young University

• Kristie J. Rowley, Brigham Young University

• Mikaela J. Dufur, Brigham Young University

• Curtis Child, Brigham Young University