Transit-Oriented Development and Equity in Latino Neighborhoods: A Comparative Case Study of MacArthur Park (Los Angeles) and Fruitvale (Oakland)

The Influence of Social Class on Family Participation in Children’s Education: A Case Study

Revista Colombiana de Psicología ◽

10.15446/rcp.v30n1.89185 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Salvador R. Vazquez ◽

Patricia M. Greenfield

Keyword(s):

Social Class ◽

Los Angeles ◽

Low Income ◽

Formal Education ◽

Comparative Case Study ◽

Family Participation ◽

Middle Income ◽

Children's Education ◽

Children’S Education

Parental involvement in children’s education is commonly accepted as beneficial. However, family social class plays a crucial role in the efficacy of homework help. In a comparative case study, a low-income immigrant family from Mexico and a middle-income family in Los Angeles were observed helping their children with math homework and were asked questions about goals, tutoring strategies, and beliefs about learning. Qualitative analysis focused on two effective teaching methods: scaffolding and productive struggle. The low-income mother with little formal education provided direct help rather than a scaffold, and disapproved of hard problems. However, an older sibling with more education than her mother used scaffolding and believed that difficult problems aid learning. In these respects, she resembled the college-educated middle-income mother. The sister exemplifies how older siblings in immigrant families provide bridges to educational achievement for younger siblings. We suggest effective ways for schools to involve parents who lacked educational opportunity themselves to participate in the education of their children. How to cite this article: Vazquez, S. R., & Greenfield, P. M. (2021). The Influence of Social Class on Family Participation in Children’s Education: A Case Study. Revista Colombiana de Psicología, 30(1), 133-147. https://doi.org/10.15446/rcp.v30n1.89185

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Does the Structure of Aging Services Matter? A Comparative Case Study of California Communities

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.059 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 18-18

Author(s):

Haley Gallo ◽

Kelly Marnfeldt ◽

Adria Navarro ◽

Kathleen Wilber

Keyword(s):

Los Angeles ◽

Service Delivery ◽

San Francisco ◽

Local Governments ◽

Local Level ◽

Comparative Case Study ◽

Aging Services ◽

The Impact ◽

Levels Of Integration

Abstract As the older adult population grows and Federal funding remains stagnant, coordination of services at the local level becomes more critical. Building on the Federal Administration for Community Living model, California’s Master Plan for Aging creates opportunities for innovative restructuring of the way aging services are delivered through the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). We conducted a comparative case study of California AAAs (N=5) representing different levels of integration, from standalone departments of aging (Los Angeles City, Riverside County), to partial integration (Los Angeles County), to full integration with aging and disability programs (San Diego County, San Francisco County). We examined the impact of departmental organization and integration on the AAAs’ service delivery for older adults. Interviews with leaders of the AAAs were coded by two researchers using constant comparative analysis to identify themes within and between the AAAs. Emerging themes revealed the role that “structure,” “politics,” “funding,” and “visibility” play in service delivery for AAAs with varying levels of integration. Findings suggest that integrating the AAA with other departments (i.e., Health and Human Services) and programs (e.g., Adult Protective Services, In-Home Supportive Services) improves coordination and allows for greater visibility of the AAA. Key stakeholders in standalone AAAs, however, fear that integration would hinder their visibility and “agility” in service provision. Findings shed light on best practices for locally coordinated aging service delivery during a window of opportunity for California AAAs, yet they can also inform how aging services are provided for local governments nationwide.

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