Family Literacy, English Language Learners, and Parent Engagement
Author(s):
Ferlazzo, Larry
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Library Media Connection, Volume 28, Issue 1 (2009). pp. 20-21.
Language:
English
Abstract:
At least 5.1 million U.S. students in kindergarten through 12th grade are English Language Learners today--10.5 percent of the entire student population. That amount is expected to grow to 25% by the year 2025. Numbers on the educational levels of these students' parents vary, though it appears that at least one-third of the heads-of-household lack a high school education and that number may be as large as 50 percent. These numbers, and the challenges they represent, are not "problems." Rather, they can be opportunities for schools to assist students, engage their parents, and strengthen communities. Luther Burbank High School, Sacramento's largest inner-city high school, chose that perspective and developed a strategy which resulted in higher student achievement and increased family literacy. Their efforts were named the Grand Prize Winner of the International Reading Association Presidential Award for Reading and Technology. What Burbank's success suggests is that parent engagement might be a superior opportunity to maximize the benefits of increased parent participation for families--with lesser long-term strain on already overburdened school staff. And that one of these superior opportunities might be specifically related to increasing student and parent English literacy.