Encouraging Guardian Involvement Among ELLs

Abstract

Guardian involvement is important in student’s academic achievements however that involvement is not consistent across populations. Therefore, this capstone aims to examine the overarching research question: How can teachers foster positive relationships with students that promote parent involvement in the ENL classroom? To answer this question, it is important that teachers and school administration know the struggles families face. Some of these struggles may include language and cultural barriers, education levels of guardians, and the family’s socioeconomic status. The professional development for middle school teachers and school staff will provide strategies and programs that will help increase guardian involvement. As a result of this professional development teachers will have strategies they can implement into their classrooms and in school to increase academic involvement with ELL families. In the future it is important that researchers continue to study the effects that programs such as community programs have on guardian involvement a how it impacts student academics.