Opportunities in the Policy and Praxis That Latino Parents of English Language Learners Experience

• In Event: Exploring Students' Sense of Belonging and the Home-School Connection

Abstract

Through many decades, research has reflected evidence of the powerful effects of home-school relations and student success. The U.S. Department of Education perceives it as critical and has nationwide policies that support home-school relations, that place special attention on culturally and linguistically diverse groups and students who are English Language Learners (ELLs), known to be vulnerable to academic failure. Latinos, the largest group of ELLs, are also supported by bilingual education policy that emphasizes home-school relations. Despite the policies, research continues to confirm challenges found in partnerships between schools and Latinos. The purpose of this study was to identify the policy and the practices for home-school relations and bilingual/ESL education and the opportunities to foster home-school relations.

Authors

• Vanessa Espitia Mendoza, The University of Texas - El Paso

• Elena Izquierdo, The University of Texas - El Paso