Help Your Child Reach the Stars—Get Involved in Your Child’s Education

Special thanks to contributing author Beatrice Weiss, ESOL parent specialist, ESOL Bilingual Program, Montgomery County Public Schools, MD

Your child is standing on tiptoes, straining to reach the stars. Here in the land of opportunity, everyone is doing it. Dreaming and scheming; trying to be somebody. The most important thing you can do to help your children reach their potential is to get involved in their education.

It seems strange that failure could be possible in a land with so many resources, but the sad truth is 1.5 million Latino youth drop out of school each year. Your children need more than love and support to understand the value of a good education. They need someone invested in their future to show them the way. They need someone who can explain the importance of doing well in school, help them select their classes, and help them complete their homework. They need someone who will meet with their teachers and advocate on their behalf. They need someone who will help them prepare for standardized tests, research scholarship opportunities, and fill out college applications. They need someone to encourage them when the road gets rough. If you are not in a position to do all of these things for your child, find someone who can help!

Where To Start

• It is important to read to your child often—it doesn’t matter which language you use.
• Encourage other family members to read to your child.
• Expose your child to other children so they may develop social skills.
• Talk with your family members and work out a plan to ensure a quiet place for your child to do homework.
• Set aside time to take your child to the local library.
• Monitor your child’s assignments and make sure they are completed.
• If you can’t help your child with homework, find someone who can.
• Meet with your child’s teachers and let them know any concerns you have about your child's progress.
• Get involved in school events. This will give you a better understanding of the environment your child faces every day.
• Talk with your child about what you want for his or her future.
• Ask your child about his or her dreams and goals.

By doing these things, you will show your child that you are interested in his or her education and future. Your involvement will send a powerful message about the importance of education and help your child understand the value of doing well in school.

Who Can Help

The teachers and education experts at your child’s school can help you learn how to motivate your child to do well in school, help your child more with his or her homework, and help you to have successful meetings with your child’s teachers. By checking out what the school offers, you may find an after-school homework club or even a homework telephone hotline for your child! (For online help with homework, visit the Soy Unica Homework Helper). The school also may offer adult education classes, parent meetings, workshops on important topics, and information on how to find an advocate who can help you with specific issues. Once you find out which services are available through your child’s school, do not hesitate to use them!

Overcome the Language Barrier

Learning English is one of the most empowering steps you can take to help yourself and your family succeed in the United States. Schools are a good and convenient place to take English classes. These classes provide good opportunities to meet other Latinos who are learning English and get better acquainted with your local community. Take advantage of them!

In the meantime, you can communicate in other ways with teachers and the administration at your child's school. Find out if the school offers translation services for parents who are not comfortable speaking in English during parent-teacher conferences and other events. Another great way to boost your confidence about participating in school meetings and events is to find a friend to go with you. Together, you can do it!

Get Involved

In most Spanish-speaking countries, parents are used to leaving school matters to the school administrators. In the United States, parents are an integral part of the school community. It is important for you to know what is going on in your child’s school, for your voice to be heard by school staff, and for your child to see your interest in his or her academic achievement.

By offering some of your time to the school and getting to know the faculty and administration, you also will get a sense of the day-to-day activities and challenges that your children face. This is especially important if your children have moved to a new school.

So how can you get involved? Go to the back-to-school night, parent-teacher conference, or open house. They are held usually at the beginning of each school year. It’s a good opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, principal, school counselor, and nurse. Be sure to make an appointment to discuss concerns you may have regarding your child’s education. This is also a good time to talk about possible volunteer opportunities and ideas on how you can get involved.

Here are some suggestions:

• Join the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or parents’ advisory council.
• Mentor or tutor students in classes such as math, Spanish, or music.
• Offer to help out with a specific after-school club. If you’re interested in starting a Spanish book club, for example, you could offer to lead the discussions.
• Offer to organize or chaperone a school dance, prom, or other event.
• Bake or cook for a sale, or help plan and cater a special event.
• Assist coaches and gym teachers with sports and fitness programs, or work in the school concession stand at sporting events.
• Sew costumes or build sets for theatrical and musical productions.
• Work with the school band or orchestra, or coach music students individually.
• Help out with visual arts, crafts, and design courses and projects.
• Hold a workshop for students in trade or technical programs.
• Encourage parents and youth to reach their full potential.

Become a Leader

Once you become comfortable being part of your child’s school community, help other parents feel welcome. You can orient immigrant parents to the resources available in the school and explain the importance of taking an active role in their child's education. Here are some ways you can become a leader in your school community:

• Talk with other parents and encourage them to be more involved in their child's education. One way to start is by sharing this article with them.
• Help other Latino parents feel welcome at school. Offer to accompany them to school meetings or events.
• Don’t be afraid to ask the school for what you need. If your child’s school doesn’t offer translation services, workshops in Spanish, English classes, or SAT preparation classes, ask them to start!

Tips for Outreach Workers Who Serve Latino Parents

The growing Latino population is overwhelming school districts around the country. Here are some tips for outreach workers who serve Latino parents:

• Establish trust
• Offer translation services or activities in Spanish
• Assess and understand current needs
• Provide information in Spanish that meets their needs
• Notify parents immediately of any problems with their child
• Follow through and follow up
• Provide transportation to the school when necessary
• Help parents contact their child’s counselor
• Offer to set up meetings with teachers or counselors
• Accompany parents to school meetings
• Be an advocate for parents by explaining their needs to school staff
• Coach parents on how to advocate for their children.

More information on organizing Latino community groups can be found here: http://www.hablemos.samhsa.gov/rallies/toolkit.aspx (English)
http://www.hablemos.samhsa.gov/rallies/toolkits.aspx (Spanish).