Spaces In Between: An Examination of Community Cultural Wealth for English Learners in Middle School

• In Event: 32.083 - Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: 32.083-8 - Efforts Toward Educational Equity for Bilingual and Emergent Bilingual Children

Abstract

Educational equity for English learners (ELs) means ensuring these students can achieve not only in basic coursework, but also in the advanced coursework necessary for college admission and success. This study therefore explores the experiences and understandings of five academically successful middle school ELs utilizing Yosso’s (2005) community cultural wealth (CCW). Methods included qualitative methods of in-depth of interviews and school observations. This paper discusses selected findings that relate to CCW. Specifically, I describe ways students’ experiences (a) aligned with CCW; (b) fell on the periphery of the model; (c) appeared dormant or not actualized, and (d) transformed from resources to levers of school success. Implications call for enhancing CCW by imagining points of activation for capital for ELs.

Author

• Lottie L. Baker, The George Washington University