Anna Santana

Date of Award

8-2024

Document Type

Dissertation - SCU Access Only

Publisher

Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Abstract

Every year, thousands of agricultural workers and their families migrate across states and countries, playing a vital role in global food production, especially in California, home to the largest population of farmworkers in the U.S. Historically, migrant families lived in inadequate housing, but today the state offers 24 seasonal rental housing centers with approximately 1,883 units across 15 counties. However, this type of subsidized housing requires that families live outside a 50-mile radius from these centers for at least three months during the off-season, often forcing children to change schools multiple times a year, disrupting their education. This study explores the educational and social challenges faced by families living in a migrant center, particularly how the 50-mile regulation affects academic performance and social integration. Following a 2018 modification of the rule, there is limited data on how families use the exemption and how each center promotes local residency. Using Latinx Critical Race Theory (LatCrit) and testimonios, this research includes participants such as migrant parents, migrant youth, and community leaders and activists. The study aims to inform policies and interventions to improve educational opportunities for farmworker children, focusing on how they navigate the educational systems of the U.S. and Mexico and how their living conditions affect their sense of belonging. By understanding these experiences, we can develop more supportive educational environments for migrant children.

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