Partnership with Santa Clara County Office of Education
Re-Imagining Migration partnered with the Santa Clara Office of Education on the Project "Creating Inclusive Systems of Support for our High School Immigrant, Refugee, and Undocumented Students." This project aims to equip educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to support undocumented, immigrant, and refugee students and their families. Funded by a grant from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, it highlights the significant immigrant population in California and emphasizes the need for educational support systems that are inclusive and practical.
Key components of the presentation include:
1. Introduction & Purpose
It outlines the context of immigration in California, noting that a significant portion of the immigrant population did not complete high school. The toolkit is designed to provide educators with research-based learning opportunities and resources to implement supportive systems and structures at schools for undocumented, immigrant, and refugee youth, their educators, and families.
2. Organization of Modules
The toolkit is organized into six modules - Status, Policies, Mental Health, Youth Voice Part I, Youth Voice Part II, and Community and Family. Each module consists of presentation slides that include research, videos, readings, activities, reflections, and links to resources. These modules are designed to be flexible, allowing educators to engage with the content in various settings, including in-person, remotely, or individually.
3. Usage Guidelines
The presentation slides are intended for use in professional learning communities or with networked improvement groups, suitable for both small and large groups. It emphasizes the importance of using vetted and cited resources.
4. Key Topics Explored
- The integration process of immigrant families, noting that it can span several generations and involve mixed status families.
- The complexity of the immigration process, debunking myths that it is easy or straightforward.
- The importance of understanding the diverse terms and typologies used to describe immigrant, undocumented, and refugee youth to better support them and their families.
5. Interactive Elements
The presentation encourages engagement through reflective questions and prompts, such as listing learnings, posing questions, and expressing surprises related to the content.
Overall, the resource serves as a comprehensive toolkit for educators, providing them with the necessary resources and guidance to support the diverse needs of immigrant, undocumented, and refugee students in a manner that is inclusive, informed, and empathetic.