Empowering Parents

Parents from non-mainstream cultures are not easily empowered to advocate for their children in classrooms today. Yet research shows how powerful family influences can have over a child and his or her educational experience. In this chapter, you will learn research-based strategies that seek to empower parents to be active educational agents for their children, as well as María's own experience with becoming empowered.

Things to Consider:

1. What are some potential barriers that may inhibit parent interactions with schools?
2. What are some of the potential benefits of having parents of diverse backgrounds in your classroom?
3. What do you know about working with parents who come from diverse backgrounds?

Empowering Families- What Research Says...

Parents who are culturally and linguistically diverse may not become involved with their child's education due to the following potential barriers:

• Lack of experience or confidence interacting in a different culture
• Lack of proficiency in English
• Insufficient information about their child's education
• Different expectations of the school role and their own
• Other family responsibilities
• Work responsibilities
• Lack of resources to attend meetings

These barriers could potentially contribute to poor and passive parent participation in school meetings. It is important for teachers to be aware of these potential barriers and to actively invite parents to become empowered through the following strategies:

• Encourage parents to use their native language with the use of an interpreter
• Provide opportunities for parents to become involved in their child's classroom
• Refer "new" parents to parent mentors who can provide information and guidance to other diverse families
• Provide parent training about the special education system
• Provide resources written in the parent's native language
• Create a special education vocabulary list for families from diverse backgrounds
• Encourage students to share their school experiences with their families
• Provide opportunities for students to work with their parents on specific assignments at home
• Assign team members roles in team meetings to assure parents have an equal role
• Encourage parents to ask questions
• Arrange team meetings after checking with parent schedules to assure they can attend
• Send home surveys that request parent input about their child's classroom
• Establish an on-going communication system

Empowering Families- What María Says...

As my son progressed through his school years we (my mother and I) sort of became more experienced and let our voice be heard much more and in the language we were most comfortable in. We learned a lot along the way and became stronger advocates for Antonio. My mom became a stronger person, and learned to voice her opinions and observations no matter how broken her English was. Antonio is now 12 years old, and we have all acquired a wealth of experience in his many transitions through the school system.

Activity:

One of the most effective ways to empower diverse families is through education and training.

Your Task: Create a one-hour training on the special education system that can be used with diverse families. This training should be parent-friendly and address the following topics:

1. What is special education?
2. How can I be involved in my child's education?
3. What is an IEP?
4. How can I prepare for an IEP?
5. Who do I contact if I have questions?
6. What are some resources I can access for more information?

References

Chavkin, N. F. (1989). Debunking the Myth About Minority Parents. Educational Horizons, 119-123

Delgado-Gaitan, C. (1991). Involving Parents in the Schools: A Process of Empowerment. American Journal of Education, 100(1), 20-46.

Epstein, J. (1990). School and Family Connections: Theory, Research, and Implications for Integrating Sociologies of Education and Family," In D. G. Unger and M. B. Sussman (Eds.), Families in Community Settings: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (pp.99-126). New York: Haworth Press.

Epstein, J. (1991). Effects on Student Achievement of Teachers' Practices of Parent Involvement. Advances in Reading/Language Research, 5, 261-276.