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Myth # 9 the families of EL students are not engaged and do not value their child’s education
The idea and belief that the parents of English learners don’t offer educational support to their students because they don’t care is a myth, far from reality. It’s false! The lack of support could be attributed to English deficiencies on their part, since at times, parents have to endure long hours at work being unable to gain English proficiency. Communication with teachers and schools can’t happen because language is a barrier and can’t speak English.
The links attached shed a light on debunking the myth while the other link offers strategies to help the families of English learners. It’s important to note that there are many strategies to help teachers and schools to make parents welcome into the children’s education. Not many districts will be able to institute all of them but there are resources that schools can adopt to help the families of English learners.
Debunking the myth:
Stanley Augustin wrote an article in a lawyers’ website called Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights located in Washington DC, says that “While increasing parental engagement is a challenge for all parents, those who are parents of ELLs are experiencing additional barriers and impediments during their pursuit to become more involved in their child’s education”. Some of these barriers include language barriers, school-based barriers, cultural differences, and economical barriers.” Language barriers are a problem because parents can’t help with their children’s assignments. Not only because of the language but because of lack of academic exposure.
School barriers exist because many districts don’t have in place interpreters to help with communication with parents. Cultural differences are without a doubt an issue because parents are not aware of all the different services available to them. Economical barriers: are those which involve lack of transportation, long work hours, lack of funds to pay for a sitter so they attend meetings or functions offered by the school.
Strategies:
In the website of Colorin Colorado, there is an article written by Lydia Breiseth, Kristina Robertson, Susan Lafond called “Connecting with ELL families: Strategies for Success”
They suggest to do the following:
Hold a special back-to-school event or picnic for ELL families in which they have time to meet you, other school leaders, their children's teachers, and school staff.
Create a welcome DVD in multiple languages. This may even be a great student project!
Provide staff the opportunity to learn some common phrases in your families' languages, as well as cultural gestures.
Visit local neighborhoods to meet families.
Connect new families with a contact person who speaks their language as soon as they enroll in the school for guidance and information (Houk, 66).
Create an "ambassador" program in which students and parents are trained to give tours.
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