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Diverse Learners and The Home-School Connection

Davielle Vinson

Grand Canyon University

ECS-562

4/3/24

Overview of Community Demographics in Killeen, TX

Demographic data shows Killeen, Texas, is diverse. Killeen has 150,082 residents in 2021, with a median age of 29.6. A 1.02% population growth over the previous year indicates a flourishing community. The median family income in Killeen was $52,072, up 3.45% in a year. In the same period, median property value rose 11.7% to $147,400. These economic metrics indicate that many Killeen inhabitants are financially solid and improving. Killeen has a diverse ethnic population. According to Data USA (n.d.), “Black or African American (34.9%), White (Non-Hispanic) (26.2%), White (Hispanic) (12.9%), Two+ (5.87%), and two+ (non-Hispanic) (5.76%) are the main ethnic groupings.” Immigrants make up 9.06% of the population, reflecting this diversity. Killeen also has many military veterans, particularly Gulf War veterans. Health Care & Social Assistance, Public Administration, and Retail Trade employ 58,844 people in Killeen. Most inhabitants drive alone to work, taking 23.5 minutes on average. In 2021, institutions awarded 801 degrees, demonstrating their importance.

How Community Demographics Affect Early Childhood Development

The different demographics of Killeen, Texas, influence children's early development in several ways. First, multicultural environments introduce children to many languages, customs, and traditions early on. Early exposure to multiple cultures improves cognitive flexibility, empathy, and social skills, which are essential for global success (Tanase, 2020). Killeen's socioeconomic variety affects children's resources and chances. Low-income children may struggle with education, healthcare, and extracurriculars. However, children from higher-income families may have greater enrichment and educational support (Darling-Hammond & DePaoli, 2020). Due to deployments, frequent relocations, and military stressors, children in Killeen may face family separations. These factors affect children's social-emotional development, intellectual achievement, and well-being (Garbacz et al., 2020).

Strategies for Incorporating Diversity into Classroom Instruction

In Killeen, Texas classrooms, incorporating students' experiences, cultures, and community resources improves learning and engagement. Personalized school structures can help teachers and students form stable bonds. Small learning settings or advisory systems where teachers meet with small groups of students to provide academic, social, and emotional assistance can achieve this (Darling-Hammond & DePaoli, 2020). In Killeen, where there's a large Black or African American population (34.9%) and a growing Hispanic population (12.9%), culturally sensitive advisory systems that provide personalized support can help diverse students succeed academically (Data USA, n.d.).

Culturally responsive teaching recognizes and incorporates students' cultural origins into the curriculum (Tanase, 2020). Students can be exposed to varied role models, given real-life examples, and given group work and games that match their interests. In Killeen, where Health Care & Social Assistance and Retail Trade are the biggest industries, educators can construct courses that combine academic concepts with real-world settings, making learning more engaging and culturally relevant.

Stronger school-family ties might also help. Through regular contact, flexible meeting and conference scheduling, and parental input on educational objectives and tactics, parents can be valued partners in their children's education (Garbacz et al., 2020). Given Killeen's median household income of $52,072 and 45% homeownership rate, assisting families in understanding and engaging in their children's learning journey can boost academic outcomes and student well-being (Data USA, n.d.).

Creating an identity-safe classroom where kids feel respected and appreciated regardless of culture is also important (Darling-Hammond & DePaoli, 2020). To do this, educators must address biases, involve students in co-developing classroom rules, and incorporate varied perspectives into the curriculum. In Killeen, where the population is mostly U.S. citizens (96.1%) but also heavily foreign-born (9.06%), inclusivity and cultural sensitivity in the classroom can improve learning and support students' academic and social development (Data USA, n.d.).

Family/Community Schoolwide Events

To help students succeed in Killeen, Texas, where ethnic groups are diverse, schools must build strong family partnerships. School community events can reflect families' different interests and origins to develop this cooperation. A Cultural Heritage Fair encourages families to share their foods, music, and dances. Event celebrates school diversity and makes families feel cherished and accepted for their varied cultures (Data USA, n.d.; Tanase, 2020).

Family and community schoolwide events could include a Parent Education Night to promote reading and academic performance. This event may feature workshops and talks on reading skills, homework help, and homeschooling. Multilingual resources would also help families from varied linguistic backgrounds. Schools can improve student achievements and home-school relations by equipping parents with education support skills (Garbacz et al., 2020; Darling-Hammond & DePaoli, 2020).

To promote family wellness, a Health and Wellness Fair could be held. Free health tests, nutrition and fitness advice, and community healthcare resources may be offered at this event. Schools show they care for kids and their families by promoting family physical and mental health (Garbacz et al., 2020). This type of event builds community and collaboration, strengthening school-family ties.

Building Strong Relationships with Diverse Learner Families

Strong, productive, and respectful relationships with Killeen's diverse learners' families demand thoughtful and culturally sensitive methods. First, schools may accommodate diverse families' language and cultural norms using culturally responsive communication (Garbacz et al., 2020). Interpreters during meetings, translating, and recruiting diverse personnel improve communication and trust. Family-friendly events and workshops unite families (Garbacz et al., 2020). Addressing school system navigation, family homework help, and student cultural pride and identity. Families and school authorities should constantly interact to integrate diverse viewpoints in decision-making (Garbacz et al., 2020). Surveys, parent-teacher conferences, and advisory committees may help Killeen schools and diverse student families interact.

References

Data USA. (n.d.). Killeen, TX. Data USA. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/killeen-tx/#:~:text=Population%20%26%20Diversity&text=In%202021%2C%20there%20were%201.34,third%20most%20common%20ethnic%20groups.

Darling-Hammond, L., & DePaoli, J. (2020). Why school climate matters and what can be done to improve it.  State Education Standard,  20(2), 7. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1257654.pdf

Garbacz, S. A., Minch, D. R., Jordan, P., Young, K., & Weist, M. D. (2020). Moving towards meaningful and significant family partnerships in education.  Adolescent Psychiatry,  10(2), 110-122. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED612278.pdf

Tanase, M. (2020). Is good teaching culturally responsive?.  Journal of Pedagogical Research,  4(3), 187-202. https://www.ijopr.com/download/is-good-teaching-culturally-responsive-8541.pdf

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