Advanced
search

To read this content please select one of the options below:

Latino parents’ educational values and STEM beliefs

Diley Hernandez (Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
Shaheen Rana (Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
Meltem Alemdar (Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
Analía Rao (Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
Marion Usselman (Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

Journal for Multicultural Education

ISSN: 2053-535X

Article publication date: 8 August 2016

1038

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a snapshot of K-12 Latino families’ beliefs about education, their awareness and interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers and their perceived educational challenges. It builds on the existent body of literature by dispelling pervasive notions that Latino parents do not value education. It contributes to the field by providing evidence of Latino parents’ beliefs, awareness and interest in STEM careers for their children.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reports the results of a focus group needs assessment conducted with Latino parents, surveys and interviews collected for three years during Latino family-focused events.

Findings

Surveyed parents thought children should attend college to prepare for a better future and career decisions should be dependent on their preference and vocation. They believed STEM careers were important for the Latino community and reported talking to their children about having a job in STEM. Parents perceived several challenges for their children’s education, such as cost, immigration status, lack of information and language barriers.

Practical implications

Stereotypes regarding Latino family’s beliefs about education have implications for how school systems, educational gatekeepers and stakeholders perceive these students’ opportunities. This paper discredits the perception that Latino parents are not interested in their children attending college or pursuing STEM careers.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of information about Latino families’ perceptions of their children’s educational goals, knowledge of STEM careers and their interest in such fields. This paper provides a fundamental step toward filling that gap.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the contributions of our program collaborators: Jorge Breton, Alba Gutierrez, Cher Hendricks, PhD, Curtis Goings PhD, and Olivia Shellman. The GoSTEM program is implemented thanks to a grant from The Goizueta Foundation.

Citation

Hernandez, D., Rana, S., Alemdar, M., Rao, A. and Usselman, M. (2016), "Latino parents’ educational values and STEM beliefs", Journal for Multicultural Education, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 354-367. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-12-2015-0042

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles

Manage cookies

We’re listening — tell us what you think

Join us on our journey