Book Synopsis

The Plight of Invisibility offers unique contributions that inform the use of a community-based research approach that examines educational issues identified by urban, Latina/o communities. It offers a new lens from which to understand the circumstances of Latina/o students in schools as they navigate in social systems that are in opposition to them, thus rendering Latina/o students and their families invisible. Despite these challenges, the book offers examples of community programs and resources that support and address the needs of Latina/o students as they build resiliency and determination to persist. Community organizations and advocates, educational researchers, practitioners, students, and policymakers will find The Plight of Invisibility useful to reframe deficit discourses about Latina/o studentsand their families. In addition, the book is appropriate for classes including methodology courses focused on community-based research, educational policy and/or college access courses, and Latina/o studies
courses.

1.  Study Background and Book Overview

      Donna Marie Harris/Judy Marquez Kiyama

2.  Estámos Aquí! A Historical Context for the Plight of Invisibility
      Nancy Ares/Hilda Rosario Escher

3.  A Community-Based Approach: Review of Community Context, Frameworks, and Methods
      Judy Marquez Kiyama/Donna Marie Harris

4.  School Policies as Barriers for Latina/o Student Persistence
      Donna Marie Harris/Judy Marquez Kiyama

5.  Garnering Resilience: Latina/o Education as a Family, School, and Community Affair
      Sandra Quiñones

6.  The Role of School- and Community-Based Programs in Aiding Latina/o High School Persistence
      Donna Marie Harris/ Judy Marquez Kiyama

7.  When Violence Interferes with Educational Opportunity: Latinas’ Narratives of Resistance and Agency
      Judy Marquez Kiyama/Amalia Dache-Gerbino/Vicki T. Sapp

8.  Advanced Placement and College Readiness: An Examination of AP Course Availability and Enrollment between Urban and Suburban Schools in Western New York
      Donna Marie Harris/Thomas Noel Jr.

9.  Moving Forward: Recommendations, Action Items, and Areas of Focus
      Judy Marquez Kiyama/Donna Marie Harris

10. A Superintendent’s Response: The Latina/o Potential Yet to be Realized
      Bolgen Vargas

11. Implications for Practice and Policy: High School Persistence and College Access
      Judy Marquez Kiyama/Donna Marie Harris

12. Conclusion, Resources, and Best Practices
      Donna Marie Harris/Judy Marquez Kiyama

Donna Marie Harris is an independent consultant to school districts and non-profit organizations. She has published articles in Educational Policy and Education and Urban Society. Harris received her Ph.D. in educational policy studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Judy Marquez Kiyama is an assistant professor of higher education at the University of Denver. Kiyama has published articles in the American Educational Research Journal and the Journal of Higher Education. Kiyama received her Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Arizona.

You can order copies with our publisher, Peter Lang: Orders can be placed directly with the Peter Lang customer service department by phone: 800-770-LANG or 212-647-7706, by fax: 212-647-7707, or through the internet: www.peterlang.com            

• ISBN 978-1-4331-2581-2 hb. (Hardcover)
• ISBN 978-1-4331-2580-5 pb. (Softcover)

If you are interested in organizing a book event, please contact : Judy Marquez Kiyama (Judy.Kiyama@du.edu) or Donna Marie Harris (dmharris18@netzero.net).