Parental involvement is one of the core components that have been shown to provide a healthy and positive effect on the academic achievement levels of children in grades K-12. The results have been almost unanimous among a variety of studies demonstrating improved grades and exam scores, high attendance and graduation rates, and advanced behavioral skills among students whose parents play a proactive role in their child’s study habits. It’s a simple fact that the more a parent is involved in the academic progress of a student, the better that student will perform in school.

Unfortunately, not every child is equipped with this helpful support system to ensure their success. This is why it’s critical that schools enact some form of involvement program to get parents engaged in their child’s education and promote active participation in any capacity. Encouragement can come in many forms and leading experts in the field of education have defined the most common and effective methods of involvement can take place both outside of the classroom and within the confines of campus.

Parenting at home has proven to show some of the most significant impacts on a child’s achievement as reading to the child and assisting with homework have both shown to be impactful and productive. Parents who maintain routine communication with teachers and administrators have also proven influential in the performance of their children along with parents who volunteer in and around the school. However, school meetings and parent-teacher conferences are still the most popular and best attended method for parental involvement. A 2007 study found that 78% of parents surveyed participated in a parent-teacher conference and 74% showed up to a class or school function. The same survey determined that parental involvement was greater with children in grades K-8 than it was with students in high school.

The Latino Family Literacy Project provides training for award-winning parent involvement programs. The focus is for both students and parents to engage in family reading to increase bilingual literacy skills. The program uses multicultural bilingual books written in both English and Spanish from award-winning publisher Lectura Books. Here is a testimonial video a school that has implemented this program and talk about the success they’ve had.

If you’re interested in the latest information regarding parent involvement visit our Facebook page. We look forward to hearing from you!

The post How Does Parent Involvement Affect Student Achievement? appeared first on The Latino Family Literacy Project.

Currently, Federal funding requested for dealing with children arriving by the thousands from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador will be focused on enforcement and deportation proceedings. But what kind of resources do schools have while children are settling into their community?

Resources will typically come from Title III funds that are dedicated to English Language Learners, since most children qualify. Lesli A Maxwell of EdWeek reports that while states are allowed to set aside up to 15% for recently-arrived immigrants, there is a “variation in how much is set aside for recent arrivals.” CA, NY and TX set aside 5-10% of their budgets for immigrant children.

Funding for schools is not agile enough to compensate for recent increase in immigrant students, it’s up to districts maximize their Title III budgets. Staff development and a reliable curriculum is one of the most cost effective ways to prepare for these incoming students. Increasing the cultural competency of your teachers and staff, empowers educators to be more confident when teaching to ELL students. While, expanding English Learner’s vocabulary and language proficiency aids in easing their transition into a new school and country.

The Latino Family Literacy Project offers a practical and sustainable English Learner curriculum. Providing teachers with valuable class materials and a framework that meets Title I and Title III state standards.

Our programs and workshops are comprehensive and easily implemented. With a focus on cultural competency, educators who attend our workshop will have our continued support throughout implementation.

See what Teachers have to say about our programs and workshop.

The post Resources to help immigrant children and English Learners appeared first on The Latino Family Literacy Project.