1. Funds of Identity: An Assets-Based Toolkit of Student Supports
- Author
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Region 19 Comprehensive Center (R19CC), Melly Wilson, Adhann Iwashita, and Kathlina S. Martin
- Abstract
The concept of Funds of Identity (FOI) comes from a theory of learning that emphasizes the importance of recognizing and using students' cultural, linguistic, and personal backgrounds to enhance their educational experiences. FOI is like a "toolbox" of resources that people gather over time. These resources are shaped by historical, cultural, and social experiences and "are essential for a person's self-definition, self-expression, and self-understanding" (Esteban-Guitart & Moll, 2014). At its core, teaching and learning through an FOI framework means that: (1) students use their imagination, agency, and creativity to connect what they know to who they are in an ongoing way; (2) identity work itself is a subject in the curriculum; and (3) schools use a range of resources and educational practices that identify, develop, and make use of FOI (Esteban-Guitart, 2021). When teachers recognize and work with students' existing resources, students are more likely to demonstrate improved knowledge and academic outcomes.
- Published
- 2024