Subtractive Schooling
Traditional “Assimilation” model:
--Success increases through the generations
For Latino Students of Mexican Descent:
--First and second generation students outperform
Third and fourth generation counterparts. (why?)
--One size fits all (“urban school reproduces Mexican youth as
A monolingual, English speaking, ethnic minority, neither
Identified with Mexico nor equipped to function competently
In America’s mainstream.”)
The school divests these youth of important social and cultural
Resources, leaving them progressively vulnerable to academic
Failure.
Teachers fail to forge meaningful connections with their
(Latino) students; students are alienated from their teachers
And are often hostile toward one another(esp. between US
Born and 1st and 2nd generation students.
Why are relationships so important?
Students schooled in Mexico outperform Mexican students
Schooled in the US.
--bilingual ed.
--”Dual frame of reference
--look upon US circumstances differently
--”do not see themselves through ‘minority’ eyes
Education vs. Educacion
Educacion is inseparable from established relationships of
Demonstrated commitment and caring. Educacion is also “a
Foundational cultural construct that provides instructions on
How one should live in the world.
---In ‘education’ tend to be concerned with form and non-personal
content and only secondarily, if at all, with their students’
Subjective reality. (Teachers) tend to over-interpret urban
Youths attire and off-putting behavior as evidence a
Rebelliousness that signifies that students don’t care.
When teachers withhold social ties from Mexican American youth
They confirm this group’s belief that schooling is impersonal,
Irrelevant, and lifeless.. .since that definition is grounded in
Mexican culture, it’s rejection (signifies) a rejection of their culture.
---Latino students’ sentiments toward schooling are strongly
Related to experiences with teachers.