Inviting Immigrant Latinx Parents to Collaborate and Reject Jaulas for Their Children as Humanizing Pedagogy

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Culturally Responsive Practices for School/Community Partnerships

Abstract

The current administration’s immigration policy punishes those seeking asylum by separating families, placing children and parents into jaulas [cages]. In our work, we have likened the educational policy of testing, classifying, and labeling Latinx bi/multilingual students as English learners through their schooling by segregating them into English Language Development (ELD) jaulas. To disrupt these dehumanizing practices, we look to partner with immigrant parents as integral stakeholders, recognizing them with human dignity in creating language policies and educational processes for their children. In this study parents express their hopes and dreams for their children, which we argue could be the basis for true inquiry and transformation to humanize policies and practices in schools.

Authors

• Paty Abril-Gonzalez, University of Texas at Austin

• Sheila M. Shannon, University of Colorado - Denver