ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the educational ideologies of Mexican American families to better understand the development of educational philosophies, processes, and aspirations. It draws from three theoretical frameworks. The primary framework is funds of knowledge, with social capital and cultural capital serving as supplemental frameworks. The chapter draws from the constructs found within each framework rather than operating within the strict parameters of one particular theory. The framework of funds of knowledge refers to the bodies of knowledge and skills in a household that have accumulated over time and is based on the foundation that people are competent and have experiential knowledge that is valuable. Social capital is described as the aggregate of resources that are linked to possession of a network or membership in a group which provides its members with collectively-owned capital. Cultural capital is used both to address various cultural forms, competencies, and knowledge that certain individuals possess and to address the systemic perpetuation of power and privilege.
