Hispanic School Aged Children

Abstract

This study explores the affects of family income, parental involvement, and educational values, on Hispanic elementary-aged children's student achievement. The focus of the study was to determine if the unique challenges of family income, parental involvement, and educational have an impact on Hispanic children's test scores, and academic performance.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction

Statement of the problem and Sub-Problems 4

Hypothesis 4

Delimitations 5

Definitions of Terms 5

Assumptions 5

The Importance of the Study 6

Chapter 2 Review of Literature 6

Income Statistics of Hispanics 6

Poverty and School Success 7

Parent Involvement and Education Values amongst Hispanics 8

Parent Involvement and Education Values and School Success 9

Chapter 3 Data and Methodology 10

Data and Methodology 10

Treatment of the Data and Sub problems 10, 11

Chapter 4 Data Analysis 12

Sub Problem 1 12

Sub Problem 2 12, 13

Sub Problem 3 14

Outcome 14

Conclusion 14

Chapter 5 15

Qualifications of Researcher 15

Appendix 16, 17, 18

References 19

Chapter One Introduction

Statement and Sub Problems

How does home environment affect elementary-aged Hispanic students? Many Hispanic students encounter barriers such as family income, parental involvement, and, educational values. It is predicted that in the next twenty years, "the number of Latino children ages 5 to 13 will double, and by 2030 Latino students will comprise one-fourth of the total K-12 school population" (Gibson, 2002, p. 243). According to the United States Census Bureau, the Hispanic/Latino population in 1990 rivaled the African American group in becoming the nations largest minority group by 35.3 million.

Hypothesis

The researcher states that family income, parental involvement, and educational values, directly affect a student's achievement. The better the family income, the more intense parental involvement and educational values, produce a greater success for Hispanic children on test scores of reading, writing, and mathematics. Children who have low family income, lower educational values, and parental involvement fail academically on tests, writing, reading, and mathematics.

Delimitations

This study is not looking at social skills. High school and junior high school students are delimited. This study does not involve schools in a medium or high socioeconomic community.

Definition of Terms

Academic success- test scores in reading, writing, and math

Hispanic- any student of Latin descent

Elementary Aged-Kindergarten through sixth grade

Family income-family to income ratio

Education values-those who consider education important

Parental Involvement-parents who are involved academically in their child's education

SES-Socio Economic Status

Assumptions

All the students are of Hispanic descent. Every child is kindergarten through sixth grade. Every child is from low socio economic status.

Importance of Study

Primary concerns in education are disparities in academic achievement. Hispanic youth in general are the "most under-educated major segment of the U.S. population"

(Inger, 1992, p.1).

"Far too many of these students end up in underfunded and overcrowded schools, and the dropout rate is still too high. Because our prosperity soon will depend on their full participation in the economy and society, any gap is unacceptable" (Jimenez).

Educators need to understand the challenges some Hispanic children face in their home environment to create successful productive citizens.

Chapter 2 Review of Literature

Introduction

In study after study, researchers discover how important it is for parents to be actively involved in their child's education .The following is a review on research that the researcher has found on Hispanic families income, parental involvement, and education values. These three factors are then used to explain the link between home and school success.

Income Statistics of Hispanics

According to the United States Census Bureau (2007), Hispanics have the lowest median annual income. 22% less than Whites and 33% less than Asian Americans. The average income for Hispanics is $37,800. 20.6 % of the Hispanic population is living in poverty.

Poverty and School Success

Poverty negatively impacts school success, and school achievement in the major academic areas of reading, writing, and math. The higher the family's income, the better children will do on ability measures and achievement scores and the more likely that child is to finish high school (Bauer, Spillett, Aspiazu,).

 Poor children are twice as likely to repeat a grade and are more likely to move frequently than their more advantaged peers, primary risk factors for low