Action research: An approach to understanding family attitudes and beliefs and their practice in a d...

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" Action research: An approach to understanding family attitudes and beliefs and their practice in a dual language program in an urban school context "
Hector E. Rodriguez S. McNeil

Document Type	:	Latin Dissertation
Language of Document	:	English
Record Number	:	54182
Doc. No	:	TL24136
Call number	:	‭3263295‬
Main Entry	:	Hector E. Rodriguez
Title & Author	:	Action research: An approach to understanding family attitudes and beliefs and their practice in a dual language program in an urban school context\ Hector E. Rodriguez
College	:	University of Houston
Date	:	2007
Degree	:	Ed.D.
student score	:	2007
Page No	:	223
Abstract	:	Bilingual education has been controversial since its inception (Medina, 2003), and the immigration debate in the early 21st century has compounded this dilemma. The concept of Dual Language seems to be accepted by both sides of the debate (Thomas & Collier, 1997), as it appears to add value for all students, not just those who are Spanish-speaking. Students enrolled in Dual Language programs at Herrera, the elementary school in this study, are more successful than students enrolled in the regular program, according to data from achievement tests. While all Herrera students come from the same community and similar family structures, the students in the Dual Language program appear to be influenced by something extra that impacts their academic achievement. This study attempted to develop an understanding of the family practices and values that may influence Dual Language students. This includes families which speak only Spanish at home, families which speak English at home, and families in which students hear a mixture and speak both English and Spanish. Parents representing each of these groups whose children attend Herrera Elementary's Dual Language program were interviewed regarding their ideas and values as to their own educational experiences and how those experiences have impacted their expectations for their children. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed for commonalities and variations. Areas of interest to the researcher included an understanding of the educational experiences of the parents in different settings (Mexico and the United States) as well as how those experiences influenced the expectations and educational values they held for their children. Action Research was selected as the method of study in order to take advantage of the structure offered as it builds on the relationships between participants (Stringer, 1999) and delves deeply in order to understand a situation. The findings from this study were used to provide a framework for teachers to work with parents and to create an awareness within the community regarding what parents of Dual Language students are doing at home that appears to contribute to their children's academic success.
Subject	:	Education; Action research; Dual language; Family; Urban education; Bilingual education; Multicultural education; 0282:Multicultural education; 0282:Bilingual education
Added Entry	:	S. McNeil
Added Entry	:	University of Houston