Increasing Parental Involvement in ELL Families

Abstract

Families of ELLs that attend public schools in the United States including schools in Washingtonville Central School District face many barriers that interfere with involvement in their child's education and school. The six main barriers identified by research include home language, immigration status, socioeconomic status, ELL families' lack of formal education, ELL families' unfamiliarity with how the educational system works, and cultural beliefs. The literature in this case study reveals that these barriers can play a negative role in students’ success. However, strategies including schools providing more bilingual staff and/or translators, sending home translated information, conducting home visits, and teacher training can increase parental involvement in ELL families. In order to increase involvement from families of ELLs, all teachers at Taft Elementary in the Washingtonville Central School District will attend a professional development seminar where they will learn about ELLs, barriers that affect ELL families, and strategies on ways to increase their involvement in their child's learning and school. One proposed recommendation is for all schools to provide monthly professional development sessions. These sessions should focus on educating teachers about ELLs, barriers that their families face, and strategies to increase parental involvement.