It’s troubling that while schools are getting more Latino students, including English learners, these students are more likely to perform below grade level and eventually drop out. So this book proposes that educators everywhere do a better job of developing home-to-school partnerships based on meaningful relationships with Latino parents. Relying on an asset-based approach that draws on the strengths of diversity, the authors guide you through the many ways that culture influences learning, communication, and relationship building, so that you will be inspired to proceed with confidence in reaching out to Latino parents. Explore ways to make get more familiar with the background knowledge of Latino students. Learn how to get these parents to express their needs. And discover what’s essential to creating a welcoming environment for Latino families—whether you’re responsible for a single classroom or an entire school. Throughout the guide, you’ll pick up lots of immediately useful tips and strategies for starting and furthering the partnering process with Latino parents, such as

• Useful phrases and questions for communicating effectively with Latino families.
• Easy ways to get Latino parents’ expectations and aspirations for their children’s schooling.
• Best sources for getting information about your students’ family backgrounds.
• Steps for conducting formal and informal parent-teacher meetings.
• Advice on how to communicate with these parents about their children’s homework assignments and study skills.

 

(ASCD book, 2011) 8 1/2" x 11", 224 pages.

 

Also available as an E-Book!

 

Related Resources:

• Sample Chapters
• Study Guide
• About the Authors

 

Book Reviews of Reaching Out to Latino Families of English Language Learners

 

"The book gives lots of ideas of simple ways to connect with Latino families, such as assigning students to research famous Latinos or posting phrases around a school in both English and Spanish. …
"The book also describes more substantial and coordinated efforts to engage Latino parents, such as identifying community resources to support parents and students and forming a task force to improve Latino engagement."
 
—As first appeared on Edweek.org, Learning the Language, August 9, 2011.
Reprinted with permission from Editorial Projects in Education.
 
"Authors David Campos, Rocio Delgado, and Mary Esther Soto Huerta have put together a wonderful guide to help educators reach out to parents of students who are learning English. This book also explores why, culturally, Latino parents may seem hesitant about connecting with their kids' schools, and presents strategies educators can use to approach these parents effectively."
 
—Excerpt originally appeared in School Library Journal's e-newsletter SLJTeen.
Reprinted with permission from School Library Journal.