Systemic Change for ELL Success: Empowering Teachers to Foster Family Engagement

Abstract

This capstone explores the issue of lack of family engagement in the education of English Language Learners (ELLs). Despite the consensus on the benefits of family involvement in the education of ELLs, schools are not well equipped to effectively include families of ELLs. Therefore, the overarching research question of this capstone is how can schools develop initiatives that foster ELL family engagement? In order to mitigate the problem, this capstone presents a professional Development (PD) that is targeted at school staff and families of ELLs. The anticipated outcomes for this capstone are increased ELL family engagement, improved academic performance for ELLs and for educators to create a more inclusive school environment. The main goal of this capstone is to create a school environment where ELL families feel welcomed, engaged, and able to contribute to their child’s success.