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Using Technology to Help Our ELL Parents Become More Involved

          One key component often left out of the English Language Learners education is the involvement with the students’ families. Technology is one way to accomplish this. Technology allows for translation services and copies of forms and their child’s progress in the parents language. All of these can be easily and readily accessed by the parent on a carefully created website. The problem I foresee and have seen in my own district is the funding and ability to create a site that can effectively include all of this. The new STARR report card and website created by a district in Texas is a glimmer of hope for all districts trying to more effectively and clearly communicate with the parents of ELLs.

          It just makes sense to give parents communication in their own language. I know this is the law, but too many districts are not providing this information then question why parent involvement is so low! I can’t imagine these parents dilemma.

          “Franklin Roosevelt once said that the real safeguard of democracy is education. I agree with Roosevelt, and I believe we fortify our nation’s future by rallying around high standards, good tests, and great parent-teacher communication. The new STAAR report card and website are an exciting investment in the best of what unites us: love for our children and hope for their future”.


http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/letters-to-the editor/article159512859.html#storylink=cpy

 

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