School Is Where the Home Is: Building Connections, Dismantling Myths, Reaching Families

Session Type: Demonstration/Performance

Abstract

This session explores the challenges that our schools currently face with culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) families failing to understand the existing nuances of the school systems and practitioners unable to engage families as equal partners. This problem, even though not new, plagues the very foundation of our school systems. The findings in this study come from a Title III federally funded NPD grant. Teachers in this study were involved in culturally responsive ways of focusing on students’ funds of knowledge identities and other family engagement processes to increase family participation. Highlights from culturally responsive family visits, teacher reflection journals, and various efficacy surveys illuminate the cognitive dissonance that educators often face while shaping their own idea of family engagement.

Sub Unit

• Division K - Teaching and Teacher Education / Division K - Section 10: Inservice Teacher Education and Teacher Educator Development

Papers

• School Is Where The Home Is: Building Connections, Dismantling Myths, Reaching Families - Shabina Kavimandan, Kansas State University; Rachael Smith, Georgia Southern University; Latania Marr y Ortega, Manhattan-Ogden USD383