Inaccessible, Inconsistent, and Inadequate: Early COVID-19 School Communication With English Language Learner Families

• In Event: Partnerships Between Families and Schools

Abstract

The present study examined how school districts communicated information about COVID-19 and relied on culturally and linguistically diverse populations to interpret and understand complicated health information. Data was collected and analyzed from comparing current and archived websites along with IES publicly available data. Findings indicate school districts with CALD communities did not have information readily available in languages to support their constituents. This research develops the argument that schools are communication hubs for communities during emergencies such as pandemics. However, the accessibility of official school district communication in LOTE COVID-19 is inadequate and inconsistent. Language barriers in the context of COVID-19 have potentially dangerous social, educational, and health implications for English Language Learner families and communities.

Authors

• Elizabeth Ault, University of Kansas

• Katherine Merriweather, Austin Community College