Starting from the premise that children learn better when their learning community respects their families and cultures, this thought-provoking resource shows what it means-and what it takes-to include today's diverse parents in their children's learning. Moving readers away from out-of-date practices that can potentially marginalize and devalue the cultural assets of families, the authors provide practical, ready-to-use strategies to help schools re-envision the meaning of parental involvement and engagement. Based on the research and K-12 teaching experience of three educators, chapters address contemporary issues such as the absent parent, homework, vulnerable populations, limitations of current school-based family programs, and pedagogies of hope.
Book Features:
- Explores the multiple meanings of parental involvement and engagement.
- Examines the limitations of current approaches to parental engagement, particularly for language-minority parents.
- Reframes the conversation surrounding parental engagement to emphasize community and parental empowerment.
- Addresses the importance of parental engagement amid today's political discourse surrounding immigration.
- Includes vignettes, discussion questions, visuals, and engagement activities.
