Caregivers' Choice Against: A Case Study of Caregivers' Denial of Language Services in Central Texas

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Family and Community Orientations to Language (Table 2)

Abstract

This study describes the prevalent issues of why English Language Learner caregivers in Central Texas ISD (CTXISD) deny bilingual language services. CTXISD serves more than 8,000 students on ten campuses. During the 2018-2019 year, 56 bilingual language denials affected language acquisition as measured by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The purpose of this study was to determine why caregivers deny transitional bilingual services. A qualitative single case study was used to obtain caregivers' and local school administrators' perspectives that led to parent denial of services. Data analysis emerged from Weick's Sensemaking Theory: extracted cues, social environments, retrospective, and identity construction. The findings provide leaders across the nation with information on how to increase parent recruitment/enrollment for their emergent language programs.

Authors

• Barbara Page, Midway Independent School District

• Jessica Padrón Meehan, Baylor University

• Bradley W. Carpenter, Sul Ross State University