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Contributed by Eileen Gale Kugler
We are
thrilled to publish this two-part series on engaging immigrant parents by
Eileen Gale Kugler. In this series, she notes a critical disconnect between
many immigrant families and schools and provides practical tips for educators
to understand and build valuable partnerships with all parents. To read part
one, please click here.
Immigrant parents can be a valuable asset to the school, as
motivators and mentors for their own child, as connectors to members of their
cultural community and beyond, and as a source of fresh ideas and perspectives
for the school. Far too many are disconnected from schools, not understanding
fully their role in American schools and not feeling welcome or valued there.
Personal outreach that builds relationships, values these parents for their
strengths, and targets their specific needs and interests will empower school
leaders to build effective partnerships with immigrant families.
A Fresh Look
at Parent Engagement
Traditional parent involvement programs, like back-to-school
nights and parent-teacher conferences, were
created decades ago, and they meet the needs of parents who are knowledgeable
about and comfortable with the American educational system. Many immigrant
families, however, find them overwhelming or intimidating and they do not
attend. The result is that some educators may assume that immigrant parents
don't care about education. In reality, the education of their children was one
of the motivating factors drawing many immigrant families to the U.S.
Strategies to Build Partnerships with Immigrant Parents
Go beyond traditional programs for family involvement. Strategic design of family
engagement, based on the background, needs and interests of the specific
immigrant families in that community, is essential to build valuable
partnerships with immigrant parents. Recognizing that many traditional programs
are designed for those already comfortable at the school, educational leaders need to explore
non-threatening ways to encourage immigrant parent involvement: a classroom
celebration of children’s writing where family members accompany their child; a
breakfast with their child before work with a personal moment with the teacher;
or a culture-specific program. A welcoming parent center with bilingual staff
can provide space for immigrant parents to begin to feel comfortable at school.
Success of outreach is often measured by the number of attendees,
but targeted small group activities can be more welcoming and effective. After
parents become comfortable in these meetings, it is important to find ways to
connect immigrant families with other families in the school, through
classroom-based activities or school-wide projects where families work
side-by-side.
Connect parent engagement to academics. While it is important to
build personal connections, the engagement cannot stop there. To truly have an
impact on student achievement, research shows that there needs to also be a
connection to student learning. International dinners can be a welcoming way to
bring families into the school, but they don’t need to stop at breaking bread
together. One high school in Northern Virginia with immigrants from many
cultures turned their dinner into Bravo Night, inviting immigrant graduates
from the school to talk about the strategies that enabled them to succeed in
college and career.
Programs such as math or literacy nights can provide immigrant
parents with insights on classroom learning. For parents who did not have the
benefit of quality education themselves, adult literacy classes can build their
capacity to support and mentor their children. Immigrant parents – and all
parents – can benefit from learning the academic connections of subjects like
music, art, and physical education.
Get out into the community. Some families find it
intimidating to just walk through the school doors. Others may be concerned
about going to an “official” building, worried about their own immigration
status or that of a loved one. Parent meetings can be held in community rooms
or at religious institutions in the neighborhood. A meeting at a public library
can be a comfortable way to introduce immigrant parents to this valuable
resource. Sometimes a lunchroom in a local factory is a great place to connect
with parents who can’t leave work.
If your school has a
process for conducting home visits, they can be an effective way to build
relationships with immigrant families. Many families feel honored that school
officials come to their homes. A successful Latina entrepreneur told me her
life changed in first grade when the principal visited her home, fostering a
stronger connection to the school for the whole family. Pre- and post-visits procedures and tips are essential for a safe,
successful home visit so communicate with your school and families prior to
commencing a home visit program. For
additional support, please see the Family Engagement Resources from the Flamboyan
Foundation and “Carol Sharpe: A View on Home Visits” published on Edutopia.
Rethink the structure of
parent-led activities. Parent leaders need to rethink what “welcoming” looks like –
beyond a friendly hello when a new person enters the room. To diversify
attendance at and leadership of parent groups, leaders can work with teachers
and guidance counselors to identify immigrant parents who could become more
involved, and then provide support and training. Connecting immigrant parents
with long-time parent leaders, as welcoming friends or mentors, can be a
powerful way to build relationships. While fundraising is important, if this is
the parent group’s major purpose, it can place value on only those parents with
the contacts or personal finances to contribute.
Invite families in
multiple ways. A simple flyer sent home or a broadly-sent text may appear to be
for “someone else” to a parent who is disconnected from the school. Include
personal notes home with the child, individual texts, emails and follow-up
phone calls – the more personal, the better. Use multiple ways to get the
message out. One Maryland elementary school placed a sticky note on each
child’s jacket saying, “Bring me to the family program at school tonight!” Notices in local
foreign-language newspapers and fliers at ethnic restaurants, markets, or other
community venues can be particularly valuable. Local cultural newspapers
usually have English-speaking staff and are eager to report school news.
Collaborate with local
groups that serve immigrants. The most effective family engagement begins with an understanding
of the background, interests and needs of the particular immigrant families
within that community. Community organizations, culture-based groups, and
houses of worship can be powerful partners in connecting with families, as well
as planning and hosting programs. Leaders of these groups can provide a trusted
link to immigrant families.
Eileen Gale Kugler helps schools develop positive high-achieving
culture that values every student and family. She is author of the
award-winning “Debunking the Middle-class Myth: Why Diverse Schools are Good
for All Kids” and Executive Editor of the global resource, Innovative Voices in Education: Engaging Diverse
Communities. She can be reached at EKugler@EmbraceDiverseSchools. Follow
her on Twitter at @embracediversiT
Additional Resources
Want
to read more? Click here to purchase Innovative Voices in
Education: Engaging Diverse Communities and read our book review of this important
resource. Enter promo code RLEGEN15 at checkout for a 20% discount.
You can also read a previous article “How Immigrant Students Strengthen
American Schools” by the author featured on our blog.
We want to hear from
you!
What are the diverse ways you connect
with immigrant parents?
Please share your thoughts with us by emailing us at teacher@immcouncil.org and we’ll share best practices on our
blog and with educators in our network. All submissions will be eligible for a
$25 Amazon gift card.
Stay
Connected!
