Citation: | Trevino, R. E. (2003). Against all odds: Lessons from parents of migrant high achievers. Paper presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI. |
Annotation:
This study reports how five Mexican-origin migrant/immigrant families rear 41 high-achieving children, in spite of all the odds. Findings showed that the parentsÕ success for all started with a vision of superior achievement for their children. They considered themselves partners with teachers in their childrenÕs education. Education was the top priority for the whole family. This case study included five Texas, Mexican-origin migrant parents from five different geographic regions of the state. Data were gathered from over 100 hours of personal audiotaped interviews, telephone interviews, and field notes from home visits. From this study, educators can gain ideas of ways to involve Mexican-origin migrant/immigrant parents more effectively in their childrenÕs education. Given todayÕs concern with equity and excellence, the study suggests that perhaps educators devote more energy and resources into more Ònon-traditionalÓ ways of involving low-income language- or ethnic-minority parents, thereby enhancing childrenÕs academic achievement. This study contradicts the current literature on the achievement of migrant children and their families. It supports the scholars who propose that parents of high achieving migrant students do something different than ÒtraditionalÓ parents do.
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