Date Created

5-2010

Document Type

Dissertation

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Leadership Policy and Development: Higher Education and P-12 Education, LPD Student Work

First Advisor

Vogel, Linda R.

Abstract

Meaningful parental involvement is an important component of the academic success of all children; however, little is known about how this construct plays out in the lives of migrant farm worker families. To gain a deeper understanding of the research problem, a qualitative case study was conducted to address the primary research question: How do migrant parents understand and construct meaning in parental involvement? Grounded in an epistemological foundation built on constructionism, this inquiry was guided by a critical theory framework and was informed by case study and portraiture methodologies.

Participants were 6 migrant parents purposefully selected to include mothers and fathers of elementary, middle, and high school students enrolled in a Migrant Education Program in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States. Data were collected over 6 months from 2 focus group interviews, 17 individual interviews, over 50 hours of direct observations in natural settings, documents, and audiovisual materials. Viewed as equally knowing subjects, participants helped co-construct the findings presented as four interconnected themes: Migrant Parents as Mexican Immigrants, Academic Ethos, Critical Relationships, and Empowerment.

Recommendations are made to provide meaningful learning opportunities for migrant parents to strengthen communication with school staff and other parents, and to promote equitable access for migrant students to preschool, post secondary education, and health services. Further research is needed to expand the ways educators think about the relationships between migrant families and the U.S. public education system. Findings from this inquiry justify parental involvement as a focus for current educational research.

Abstract Format

html

Keywords

Education; Educational Leadership; critical inquiry; Mexican immigrants; Migrant Education Program; parental involvement; Spanish

Extent

316 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

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