“And so, we sit amongst the survivors”: Centering Black and Latino/a/x families’ narratives of race, place, and choice in suburban New Jersey

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 9:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Disparities and Differences: Examining Charter Schools Outcomes

Abstract

Participation in the school choice process among Black and Latino/a/x families has been heavily researched in and around large cities, but little attention is given to families living in suburban communities. Guided by critical race methodologies, this qualitative study explores the experiences of Black and Latino/a/x families who navigate school choice in suburban New Jersey. The study emphasizes how parents’ racial and ethnic identities shaped their decision to stay in district or participate in the choice process, and their perception of access to educational opportunities. Findings reveal that while parents seek schools that align with the educational needs of their child(ren), the structural constraints of the education system shape outcomes in ways that reinforce rather than challenge existing inequalities.

Author

• Olga Correa, Grinnell College