Family/Parent Engagement

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At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents.

Jane D Hill

Objectives

• Identify specific needs of binational parents and students based on surveys, observations or personal experiences

• Determine areas of support that will meet those unique needs and promote family/parent engagement

• Recognize importance of adapting existing parent engagement programs to meet the needs of binational migrant families

• List technology resources & support systems for binational migrant families

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Ways to Identify Needs of Binational Migrant Parents

• Certificate of Eligibility (COE)

• Surveys

• Interviews

• Personal experiences InET

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Ways to Identify Needs of Binational Migrant Parents – Cont.

• Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA)

• Observation

• Literature

• Link to SOSOSY (Student tracking form)

• Other

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Some Identified Characteristics of Binational Parents

• Strong desire for their children to succeed in school

• Hard working

• Social/Cultural identity shock

• A lack of sense of belonging on both sides of the border.

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Other characteristics

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Supporting Binational Migrant Parents

There are many areas in which migrant programs can support their binational migrant parents:

• Knowledge of education systems in MX and US• Ability to access binational program services• Enhancement of parenting skills• Development of computer skills• Understanding child cognitive, literacy and

developmental growth• Use of technology tools and resources• other

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Example of Areas of Support

During the Summer/Fall 2013, Pennsylvania conducted a Parent Survey to determine areas of need so that local programs can ensure its services are relevant to the families the program serves.

Additionally, the results of the survey were used to determine if the services parents had received in the past year were meeting their needs. In

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Creating and Administering a Parent Survey (see sample survey – PA and CO)

• State purpose and how it will be utilized

• Focus on services received within your state

• Use parent-friendly language

• Keep it simple and short with clear instructions

• Administer in person, if possible, with guidance

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Some Identified Characteristics of Binational Migrant Parents

• High mobility

• Limited English language proficiency

• Limited technology skills

• Unfamiliar with expectations and differences between school systems in the U.S and/or Mexican.

• Lack of knowledge of Common Core Standards and state exams

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Parents reported receiving the following services:• Summer/after school programs• Academic support (English,

math, science, writing, etc.)• Transportation services• Assistance with free/reduced

lunch and parent/teacher conference• Interpreting services• Assisting with understanding

school system such as letter sent home, homework, school enrollment, etc.

• In-home tutoring• Referrals to community

organizations• Saturday programs• Parent workshops/trainings

and related activities• PAC meetings (state /local)• Advocacy services• Computer classes• Summer leadership institute• College visits and financial

aid (FAFSA) application

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Parents indicated they wanted to know more about:

• Assistance with English language development

• Assistance with homework• Assistance with reading,

writing, and math• Saturday programs for

students• College tours and college

readiness• Career awareness• More in-home tutoring

• Awareness of high school graduation requirements

• Assistance with early childhood and preschool programs

• Parent Advisory councils• Assistance with the

continuation of education for out of school youth

Summary of Parent Survey

Results from this survey indicate that a majority of parents participate in program services on a regular basis and are generally satisfied with the services they receive.

The survey also shows that parents are most interested in English language assistance. Therefore, it is recommended that local programs consider this important need when planning the delivery of their services.

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Setting Parent Support Goals

What Parents ReportThe following observations were reported by parents as not being consistently in place. These will become goals for creating a strong support link between the school and the home.

Create a warm and welcoming environment with Spanish-speaking front office staff

Provide consistent and high quality Spanish language translations and interpreters

Inform parents of what schools want parents to accomplish Design a comprehensive parent engagement program Provide sufficient in-depth parent resources

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The following are some topics parents and schools can discuss to establish a more active and visible parent involvement in the school life. What is my “story” as a binational migrant parent?

How did I come to live in this community? What is my educational background? How can I discover and share my talents with the school? What do I contribute to the school community? How do I support my children at home? Am I a parent who wants to learn about technology? Do I share my struggles and triumphs as a parent?

Promoting Family/Parent Engagement

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Promoting Family/Parent Engagement - Cont.

Statements from parents to discuss during parent meetings:As parents, we can take a more proactive role that will help us

have a deeper understanding of the school and their contributions and how that may meet or not fully meet the needs of our children.

It is our responsibility to help the school improve but that may necessitate our taking a more visible role that focuses on the identified student’s needs and that considers the school as a partner in helping our child.

The actions and roles we choose as a parent in working with the school and the classroom is a reflection of how we deeply care to make a difference in the life of our children.

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Creating Authentic & Live Partnerships between Home and School

Schools Know what parents need to support the

students and the school Communicate information to parents and

ensure it is understood Guide and train parents to understand and

access school technology opportunities Be proactive and anticipate student needs Leverage language and cultural assets of

parents and students Open the school to parents

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Creating Authentic & Live Partnerships between Home and School – Con’t…

Parents• Seek a partnership approach with the school• Become a student and school advocate• Know what your child needs• Know what programs are available to help

your child• Inform the school of unmet needs of your child• Attend training and information sessions at

school• Offer your services and support

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Existing migrant programs promoting family/parent engagement

• State Parent Advisory Council (PAC) – CO: • The state level PAC serves in an advisory

capacity to the Director of Migrant Education. • Their advice assists the Director in making

decisions to improve the program. • The PAC meets a minimum of three times a year. • Meetings for the PAC provide information as

well as professional development. • The meetings are held at various sites

throughout the state.

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Existing migrant programs promoting family/parent engagement - Cont.

• Summer schools and programs

• Community meetings

• Binational Teacher exchange/State PAC meeting (CO).- a combination of these two components is beneficial for them to interact and share ideas on parent involvement.

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Existing migrant programs promoting family/parent engagement . Con't….

Oregon MEP-Family Involvement Plan (FIP) • In October 2010, FIP was introduced to serve the Migrant

Education regional programs to coordinate a process for sharing best practices among regions while supporting academic, advocacy, and partnerships throughout the state.

• Currently, FIP 2.0, guided by the Oregon Service Delivery Plan continues to build un the foundation established by Epstein’s Schools-Family and Community Partnership Model, to train and prepare MEP staff and empower parents to advocate for and engage in their child’s education to increase their achievement level.

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Family/Parent Engagement Resources

•The Colorado Department of Education has developed a guidebook entitled Breaking Down Barriers, Creating Space which can be used as a resource to increase collaboration between schools and parents.

• The following chart serves as a guide on how to engage parents in a meaningful and parent friendly manner with a focus on improved student achievement.

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Family/Parent Engagement Resources

•Health Insurance for BN Migrant Parents• Contact your respective state department of

health for information and guidance• Seek information on application and residency

requirements• Attain information in English and Spanish • Determine eligibility/enrollment requirements

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History

Focus Purpose Process Resources

Engaging Parents • Meaningful• Relevant• Timely• Encouraging• Parents will have specific ways of

supporting students at home• Mutual respect

• Survey/Prioritize• Set goals• Embed parent involvement in homework activities• Select best times and days for parents• Conduct home visits• Work together to set specific student goals and

expectations• Welcome and greet parents in their language

• School programs• Newsletters• Parent Handbook• Personal contacts• Title I, ELL, SPED• Reporting to Parents in English and

Spanish• “Como Se Dice/How do You Say”

Preparing Parents

• Differentiated• Leadership roles• Home-School tools• Competency in content areas

• Provide parent ELL classes and academic content classes

• Promote family literacy• Identify parents’ skills that support the school• Review and revise student goals monthly

• CSAP materials• Parent Handbook• Videos• Parent resource books• Parent space in school• Title I, ELL, SPED

Involving Parents

• Stakeholders in academic achievement• Academically rigorous extended day

programs

• Survey results• Match parent’s skills & interests with activities• Train leaders• Provide extended day/year classes• Develop community and parent mentoring

relationships

• Teacher resources• Parent Handbook• Reporting to Parents in English and

Spanish• Community organizations

Communicating with Parents

• Consistent• Comprehensible• Purposeful• Creation of an inviting environment• Parents as partners

• Seek parent input• Translate documents • Provide interpreters• Identify student grade level expectations• Plan activities that honor student’s heritage• Share assessment outcomes in a comprehensible

manner

• Newsletters• Equipment for interpreting• Alpine, student permanent record

The EPIC Model

Resources & Support Systems for Binational Migrant Parents

Centros comunitarios http://www.emigrantes.gob.mx/en/red_centros_comunitarios_aprendizaje

Mexican consulates http://www.sre.gob.mx/index.php/representaciones/consulados-de-mexico-en-el-exterior

Plazas comunitarias http://200.77.230.5/plazasEUA/

OME http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oese/ome/index.html

IME Becas http://becas.ime.gob.mx/

Colegio de Bachilleres – online http://www.bachilleratosead.net/

UNAM online http://www.bunam.unam.mx/

www.InET-migrant.org

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Contact:

Frank S. Dávila, InET Coordinatorfdavila10@comcast.net

www.inet-migrant.org

For Further Information

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