Family+and+Community+Context

 ** Consider key features such as cultural context, knowledge acquired outside of school, socioeconomic background, access to technology, and home/community resources. **  Students come from two opposite sides of the spectrum; students come from low socioeconomic status, where they cannot afford the necessary essentials and the other group who is from an affluent community. Although our students come from different socioeconomic statuses and different backgrounds, resources are readily available to help students overcome the barriers and obstacles they encounter and to develop and strengthen their skills. Students have access to libraries (on campus and surrounding area), computer labs, Boys and Girls Club, etc. Fortunately, teachers have the technology to help in delivering their instruction efficiently and effectively. The opportunity for student use and access of technology in the class is rare and not emphasized. Having access to technology is beneficial for all students, from diverse backgrounds, to develop learning and build sociocultural perspective among their peers, especially if the resources are available for them. Parent support is available such as ELAC, Parent Club, PTA etc, but still in the process of developing it self to bridge student learning and parent participation. 

 **Wilmington Middle School (Wilmington, CA) - Elaine Yoo **  The students in my 7th grade Pre-Algebra class are of Hispanic background and based on observations and discussions with the Guiding Teacher, I have learned that the majority of the students come from low socioeconomic status. Although this is true, I am not sure about the exact level of socioeconomic status since I have not had the opportunity to speak to the students individually. In terms of resources, teachers have calculators that students may use during class and if a student forgets to bring certain materials, usually the teacher provides them with the material that they are missing. The classrooms incorporate technology such as a computer, projector, and a smartboard. Students mostly use the computer only when scantrons need to be graded. The students do not use the computer for learning inside the classrooms, but it seems as though there is a need for computers in the homes of students because grades and other materials of the students can be viewed on the internet. Within the school, there is a parent center that involves parents in their students' learning and also helps out with what is happening in the school and in the community. The community around the school has agencies such as the Boys and Girls Club that helps students with homework and assists them in their learning even when they are outside of the classroom.

 **Barrett Middle School (Fair Oaks, CA) - Clifton Brison **

Fair Oaks seems to be one of the more quiet and affluent communities in the area. The region near Barrett is primarily housing with many larger lots, and the location of major shopping suggests the need to drive. There is a fair amount of homelessness in the nearby community, and the faculty mentions a change in demographics that has occurred in recent years, through which the faculty expresses a degradation in parental support and possibly student achievement. Though not implicit, the faculty’s sense of degradation suggests a parallel decline in socio-economic status. However, such a decline seems imperceptible on and near the school site. Additionally, the faculty has plenty of access to technologic teaching tools, and students are well-versed in many of the amenities technology provides. 

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 * <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Escondido High School (Escondido CA)- Marina Bratcher **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Little parent involvement. Majority of students are Latino and a majority come from low socioeconomic background. The school is located in an urban part of Escondido. Resources are limited for students as far as calculators, manipulatives, graph paper etc. The teacher does have pencils readily available for students if needed. The programs that are available are ELAC and Parent Club. Majority of the students are basic math or lower level, have algebra support class, have after school tutoring opportunity. Students have access to library for help during school hours. The students have a variety of clubs and afterschool activities to participate to get help and build community. Students also have the availability to YMCA and Boys and Girls Club that is near by. The technology that is available in the lass is the Hatchi, but other than that there is no other technology in the class that students have access to. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">**<span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Math Links ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">World of Math Online - Provides information on various mathematical topics. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Math is Fun - Provides information on various mathematical topics. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Purple Math - Focused on providing help with Algebra. Has various links where parents or students can find information on lessons and tutoring.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 110%;">**Math Media**

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A Multimedia Project on Teacher Expectations and Hidden Curriculum of Low Socioeconomic Status Schools <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Provides information on how socioeconomic status influences education.)

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">media type="youtube" key="ekstLgzKFuA" height="315" width="420"

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A Brief History of Technology in Education <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(A clever video showing how the use of technology in education has progressed over the years.)

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">media type="youtube" key="nJ0nlh5FU5A" height="315" width="560"

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A Pop Quiz on Parent Involvement. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Provides questions that parents can answer to see how well they are involved in their children's education.)

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