Promoting Parent Involvement with ELLs

Abstract

This thesis aims to explore how educators can create a welcoming environment that promotes parent engagement. The research shows that parent involvement affects teachers, parents, and students. It highlights the challenges ELL parents face such as lack of resources, lack of communication, and language barriers. Teachers can help parents by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that fosters collaboration and support. Teachers can invite parents into classrooms, communicate through various translation apps, and differentiate lessons to meet the needs of students. This capstone includes a professional development (PD) to inform parents and teachers on the benefits and barriers of parent involvement and the strategies to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. Additionally, the PD highlights the importance of communication to support students' learning and provides strategies and resources for communication between parents and teachers. The outcomes of the PD are for parents and teachers to work together to support students and to find ways to communicate. The implications of this thesis suggest that ELLs work better when parents and teachers are on the same page. It also discusses academic success and engagement when parents are involved. Further research is needed on how parent involvement affects ELLs socially.