BLACK PARENT INVOLVEMENT: AN UNTOLD STORY BY MIA LAVIZZO DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Policy Studies in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2016 Urbana, Illinois Doctoral Committee: Associate Professor Christopher Span, Chair Professor William Trent, Director of Research Assistant Professor Anjale Welton Clinical Associate Professor Brenda Lindsey Abstract For over four decades, research has unequivocally proven academic achievement and parent involvement are directly linked. Much of the literature on parent involvement suggests it should be at the forefront of social concern if one hopes to advance towards academic excellence in America. According to researchers (Cole-Henderson, 2000; Sheridan & Gutkin, 2000) children whose parents are involved have higher education attainment rates, perform better on high stakes testing and in school achievement. However, absent from the literature are the voices of marginalized parents who bear the brunt of the blame for the achievement gap that currently exists between Black students and their White counterparts. This exploratory study examines the roles low-income Black parents construct for themselves in their children’s academic and social emotional success at home and in school. In this study, parent involvement refers to school-sanctioned, and school-authored activities in which parents participate. Ecologies of Parent Engagement (EPE) and Social Stratification were the theoretical frameworks used to situate the study. Ecology of Parent Engagement considers the how and whys of parent engagement, and how parents’ experiences with educators determine the way they engage in their children’s education in and out of the school community. Social Stratification was utilized to display how people are stratified into groups determined by their social status and social position in society. Qualitative research methods, specifically Critical Race Methodology (CRM), a counter storytelling method, and Portraiture methodology were used to provide a detailed picture of parent involvement based on the participant stories and experiences with school personnel and in their respective communities. In this study the findings unearthed race, social class, and educator ii perception as mitigating factors in how and why parents engaged or disconnect from their children’s school environment. iii In memory of: My Grandfather, Ralph C. Santora “DaddyRalph” You are the source of my strength. You taught me the importance of loving myself, and the value of silence and observation. I miss you so much and wish you could see the fruits of my labor. I leaned on your words of encouragement, and though this journey has presented many challenges, I never quit. I love you, and will see you when I get there. Until then, Rest in God’s loving arms. My former student, Kendell Adams I do this work for you, and all of the possibilities I see in every young person. Thank you for changing my life. R.I.P Dedicated to: My husband and biggest supporter, Dr. Mark Lavizzo Even when I was at my worst, you loved and supported me. You are a blessing to me! My children, Mark II & Michael This is all for you. You are the best part of me! Thank you for being patient as I pursued my dream. My life and focus is committed to you and your success, henceforth. iv Acknowledgements This journey could not have been accomplished without the support and guidance of great people. It truly takes a village to write and defend a dissertation. None of this could be accomplished without the love and covering of JESUS! A doctoral student cannot succeed without the support from a great committee Dr. Span, thank you for seeing in me what I was incapable of seeing in myself. I have grown as a person and continue to seek knowledge because of your influence. You helped me to realize I have a voice that needs to be heard and I am forever grateful for your guidance and support. Dr. Trent, words cannot express the gratitude I have for your guidance and the wisdom you have imparted on me. I view the world from a different lens and fully understand my role in society due to your belief in me. You helped me to use my trials and turn them into triumph; that is no easy task, and I promise to pay it forward. Dr. Welton, Thank you for stepping in and taking on my project despite being overcommitted. I never took one minute of your time for granted. You are an invaluable contribution to my life, and my project. If I can be half of the scholar that you are, I will be successful. Dr. Lindsey, you are far more than a committee member, you are a friend, role model, advisor, confidante, and an amazing woman! Thank you for pushing me to look beyond my past hurts and failures to see the possibilities of what I could truly accomplish if I just stayed the course My family: Momma we did it! Who would have thought this would be my testimony? Thank you for the tough love and raising me to fight despite the circumstances I faced. I am my best self because you loved me first. I have so much to offer the world because of you. Lori, you are my sister, and my best friend. You were my bully and my biggest protector throughout my life, and even today! v Your strength to preserve in the face of adversity motivated me to fight even when I wanted to give up. I am honored to be your sister, and love you beyond measure. Devin, my nephew, and my heart; I see the best in you even if you are unable to see it. You mean more to me than words can express, and I am thankful to God we can celebrate this journey together. Never quit! Live your best life! To my aunts Cookie, Niecy and Toni and cousins, Topaz, Tre, Jai, Anthony, Nikki, and Mariah, I thank you for being my biggest supporters and rooting for me. Each time I felt unsure and wanted to give up, I thought of you and you and fought harder, we are more than conquerors! A special shout out to my in-laws: Dr. Joseph & Sheila Lavizzo- you breathed life into me with every encounter. We have been through three degrees, two children and nearly 17 years of love and laughter. Thank you for your unwavering, love and support. To my “A-Team”: Andrea Wynn, my soror, my friend, your check-ins and championing me to persist helped to me to stay encouraged. You are a treasure and I adore you. Dr. Tiffany Puckett, my soror and lifelong friend, I am so grateful for the bond we have built through this process. Our weekly breakfast powwows provided me with inspiration and support. I love you girl! Future Dr.’s Shana Riddick, Brenda Sanya, you two, was the highlight of my experience in this space. Our lunches and dinners talking research, and everything in between kept me focused. Thank you for helping me to stay sane throughout all of the madness I encountered from outside sources. Real friends are hard to find. I look forward to the great work we will all do in the future! My very best friends: Valarie Perry and Renee Bolton thank you for being my superpower! Ah to be a Delta: My LS’s and Faves- Marion Malcome, Dr. Jessical Milward and Jere Moore. I love you more than words can express. My appreciation for your love and support cannot be vi described with words. Sorors: Dr. Gina Olukoya, you are truly an amazing woman and friend. Ave Alvarado, you are grace and class personified. Your guidance and love uplifts me.,Laina Carney, Sydney Battle, Dr. April Warren-Grice, Dr. Chanee Anderson, Jen Stroud, Abbey Adesope, Nicole McCurry, Lashonna Harden & Dr. Shondra Clay, I love you all beyond words – CU Alumnae Sorors, there are too many to name, but know that I love you. Thank You to Dr. Angie Slates, Rafiqah Mustafaa, Asia Fuller, and Gennifer Gilbert, Theo Moton, and Dr. Tamara Hoff (my favorite AKA)—your motivational support and encouragement fueled my passion and spirit. I value you! A special thank you to my participants. I hope I shared your stories in a way that not only helps your children, but also the children of parents children who are unable speak up and speak out. Keep fighting the good fight. I will not rest until your stories are heard, and you are included in the discourse on parent involvement. Lastly, Thank you to my Champaign-Urbana family: Linda Page, Deshe McClain Chris Jones, and Dr. Tiffany White, you made this place palatable, and I am thankful for your support. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………….1 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW.............................................................................12 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH…….……………………………..56 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS…………………………………………….………………….81 CHAPTER FIVE: PORTRAITURE………………………………………….………………..123 CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS……………………………168 REFERENCES:……………………………………………………….……………………….180 APPENDIX A: INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD APPROVAL LETTER……………...186 APPENDIX B: INTERVIEW PROTOCOLS…………….…………………………………....187 APPENDIX C: PARTICIPANT DATATABLE….……………………………………………190 APPENDIX D: TEACHER DEMOGRAPHICS………...………………………..……………191 APPENDIX E: STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS.……...…………….…………………………192 APPENDIX F: STUDENT SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS...…………………………………193 viii CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION My story Parents are their children’s first teacher despite their ability or desire to take on such a role. They are responsible for nurturing and providing a loving, supportive home environment for their children to learn and develop the skills needed to become well-rounded and responsible citizens. For the reasons stated, I am interested in understanding how Black parents, particularly low-income parents, engage in their children’s schooling experiences. My interest in this topic is an outgrowth of my personal reflections from childhood experiences in school, and within my community.