Latino Family Involvement and Children's School Readiness: A Mixed Methods Study
Project Summary
The primary aim of the proposed study is to examine the specific and unique ways that Latino families support children's school readiness through their involvement behaviors. In addition to its focus on Latino children and families, the strength of this proposal is its integration of qualitative and quantitative research methods within an emic approach to social science research. The overall objectives of the proposed investigation are: (1) to understand Latino parents' conceptualizations of family involvement in their children's early educational experiences, taking into account the diversity of the Latino population within a large, Northeastern urban center; (2) to develop a culturally relevant, multidimensional measure of family involvement, and (3) to examine the culturally relevant, multidimensional construct of family involvement in relation to important areas of school readiness.
With respect to intellectual merit, results of the present study will address limitations in current research by employing a mixed-methods design that capitalizes on the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The development of a culturally relevant, multidimensional measure of Latino family involvement cannot be accomplished without the integration of these two methodologies. Informed by an emic approach, the family involvement measure will be developed, tested, and refined in partnership with Latino parents. The knowledge gained from this study will fill a void within the scientific knowledge base regarding culturally-situated practices among low-income, Latino families. In terms of broader impact, findings will inform directly the design of more culturally responsive family involvement programs to enhance child development within this urban center's child care and Head Start systems. Further, findings will have implications for early childhood educational programs serving Latino families and children across our nation.
Contact
- Principal Investigators: Chrisine McWayne, Gigliana Melzi
- Department: Applied Psychology
Funding
Funder: National Institute of Health
Project Amount: $143,500