Exploring Latinx and Non-Latinx Families’ Experiences of Dual Language Catholic Schools: A National Survey

• In Event: Thursday Roundtable Session 10:50 am
  In Roundtable Session: Studies in Equity in K–12 Catholic Schools (Table 5)

Abstract

Parent involvement is often cited as essential for dual language bilingual education (DLBE), yet we have limited understanding of how parents participate or how experiences differ between subgroups. Addressing these gaps, we present findings from a national survey of Latinx and non-Latinx parents whose children attend DLBE Catholic schools. Findings revealed that parents viewed involvement as important, although they were more involved in participation-oriented activities than engagement-oriented activities. Latinx parents reported similar or higher levels of involvement than non-Latinx parents except in school leadership. Notwithstanding, parent satisfaction was extremely high, leading researchers to conclude that high levels of reported satisfaction might be obscuring equity issues and that DLBE schools must look beyond satisfaction to cultivate more equitable parent engagement.

Authors

• Elena Sada, Boston College

• Laura Hamman-Ortiz, University of Rhode Island

• John Reyes, Boston College