Journal of Educational Research
Volume 111, Issue 3, 2018, Pages 331-344

Migrant preschool children's school readiness and early elementary school performance (Article)

Tavassolie T.* , López C. , De Feyter J. , Hartman S.C. , Winsler A.
  • a Applied Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
  • b Applied Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
  • c Applied Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States
  • d Child Development and Family Studies, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
  • e Applied Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States

Abstract

Little is known about the early educational performance of children in migrant farmworker families. The authors examined the school readiness and early school success of 289 four-year-old preschool children of migrant families attending Redlands Christian Migrant Association centers. Children's school readiness was assessed and public school records were used for longitudinal follow-up. Children improved on age-4 school readiness domains, and although some struggled with emergent English literacy, many performed well on school readiness measures and later coursework. Children quickly became proficient in oral English, and had above-average school attendance. Many scored low on high-stakes tests; however, typically well enough for grade promotion. Students in the sample were comparable to similar students in poverty. School teachers and administrators should have high expectations for students from migrant families because many of them do stay in the public school system, and appear to be quite resilient despite many challenges they face. © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

Seasonal farmworkers Migrant Children Migrant and seasonal farmworkers

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85007330324&doi=10.1080%2f00220671.2016.1261074&partnerID=40&md5=1f5552d146d963b8e07370f7b4d462c0
DOI: 10.1080/00220671.2016.1261074
ISSN: 00220671
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English