Latino Families and Preservice Teachers: An Investigation of Perspectives in Culturally Relevant Mathematics and Science

• In Event: 42.053 - Preparing Preservice Teachers to Teach Mathematics and Science to English Language Learners

Abstract

Latino families compose the one of largest, rapidly growing, educationally disadvantaged minorities. Schools must address Latino cultural differences (e.g., cultural, ethnic, linguistic, racial and social class) with strong home-school partnerships. Pre-service teachers (PSTs) should be given authentic opportunities to understand how culture, race, and ethnicity shape what students learn. This study outlines how Family Learning Events (FLEs) used authentic settings where math and science activities provide culturally relevant experiences. The study investigated how Latino parents and PSTs’ perceptions of each other, mathematics and science changed as a result of FLEs. Project ideas, examples and implementation instructions for culturally relevant Family Math and Family Science events will be presented.

Authors

• Olga M. Ramirez, University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley

• Cherie A. McCollough, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi