Multicultural

Education Issues and Perspectives Seventh Edition James A. Banks and Cherry A. McGee Banks
Chapter 17 Review: Communities, Families, and Educators Working Together for School Improvement 1) Compare the roles of parent in schools during the colonial period and now. Identify and discuss changes that have occurred and changes that you would like to see occur in parent involvement. Parental and family roles have drastically changed from the colonial period to now. Before the colonial era, the family was the primary source of education. Kids learned skills by working with/for their families and in the community as well. Then, parents were still the primary educational source but school was seen as an extension. Often during this time, teachers were from the community, knew the parents of their students, and often held most of the same beliefs as the parents. The immigrant influx in the 20th century made education become the Americanization process, and many students were taught that their behaviors, ways of thinking, language, etc. were wrong. Ideally, I would like education to return to the colonial ways but I realize this isnt possible. For most, education is seen as an only in school process and parents dont often realize the role that they play in determining their childs academic success. 2) Consider this statement: Regardless of the circumstances students experience at home, teachers have a responsibility to help them perform at their highest level at school. Do you agree? Why or why not? I do believe that we as educators have a responsibility to help students reach their full potential. Thats our job to help students become better. Were not in it for the money (obviously), but we want to help young people learn. However, going on my second year of teaching I realize that often this is much harder to accomplish when there are problems at home. How can I expect a student to finish homework at home if s/he is concerned about where s/he will call home for the night? How mad can I get at a child with ADD when the parents refuse to put them on medication? 3) Consider this statement: All parents want their children to succeed in school. Do you agree? Why or why not? Yes, I think all parents want their child to succeed in school, but I dont think all parents understand that in order for their child to succeed they themselves need to be involved. I believe this because Ive never heard a parent say that they did not want their child to succeed. However, I do hear excuses for why their student does do well in school or as to why their student isnt involved in extra curricular activities.

Elizabeth Wood February 2013