Spanish-Speaking Hispanic/Latino Families Education-Related Parental Involvement Practices

Abstract

(a recognition that children's moral compasses and respectful behavior are a part of their formal education) and a parent-centered approach (involving the children in the parents everyday life), while navigating language barriers. Both Spanish- and English-speaking parents endorsed low parent-teacher communication and strong educational aspirations for their children. That is, parents expressed wanting their children to have a better life than the lives the parents have experienced themselves. This study offers empirical evidence that Spanish-speaking families are highly involved in their children's academic development and perceive themselves to play a critical role in their children's educational success. A shared understanding of values including culturally responsive measures to assess diverse parental involvement practices and adopting a cultural lens among teachers/educators is needed to accommodate diverse cultural parental involvement practices. Study findings can inform policies and practice to help pre-service teachers and educators to understand factors that determine Spanish-speaking families' engagement in school-based parental involvement.