Author : James Terry Harbin
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 266 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (243 download)
Book Synopsis Hispanic Parents' Perspective of English Language Learner Programs by : James Terry Harbin
Download or read book Hispanic Parents' Perspective of English Language Learner Programs written by James Terry Harbin and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of this study examines parental perceptions concerning New Albany Elementary School in North Mississippi. The study is twofold: (a) to examine perceptions of Hispanic English language learners' parents concerning three aspects of New Albany Elementary (learning environment, including an immersion program for English language learners; home-school relations; and the social and physical environment of the school) and (b) to examine three aspects concerning school participation of English language learners' parents (the level of participation in school activities, the level of participation in home activities which support the school, and possible explanations for non-participation). Due to liberal immigration laws, linguistic diversity has increased significantly in the United States. It was estimated that in the 1980s one out of 10 students in the school system was from a non-English speaking family. This number reportedly increased to one out of seven in 1990 (McKay & Wong, 2000). The influx has forced school systems to face a language barrier in educating students and involving parents. Controversy thus exists on how to best incorporate the non-English speaking student and parent in the educational process (McKay & Wong). The survey instrument used in this study was the South Carolina Parent Survey instrument. The instrument was designed by Dr. Frank E. White, Jr. and Dr. Jo Anne Anderson of the South Carolina Department of Education. The questions used to develop this instrument were tested for reliability and validity by the statistics department of the University of South Carolina. The instrument focuses on the learning environment, school-parent relations, and the physical and social environment that the school provides vi for students. The six types of parental involvement identified by Dr. Joyce Epstein were influential in the development of this instrument. Dr. White and Dr. Anderson followed a rigorous course to devise a comprehensible instrument that would be easy to understand. The instrument was translated into Spanish and used by the South Carolina State Department of Education. Dr. White and Dr. Anderson's instrument was designed to reflect questions that will elicit information relating to parental perceptions and parental involvement patterns. Baker (1998) noted that teachers were surveyed regarding student success in the immersion program. The results indicated that the immersion program was more successful than the bilingual program. Even though the response of teachers is very positive toward the immersion method, barriers do exist. Baker stated that teachers need to have a strong command of the English language. A translator can be used to assist with the language barriers in the classroom. Wu (1995) noted the positive response of teachers concerning children in the immersion process as they advance through the grade levels.