Inclusive Multicultural Schooling: How to enhance the participation of immigrant parents in the education system

Immigrant Involvement in the School System: l School populations increasingly diverse l Planning often ad hoc and non-accountable l Immigrant parents under-represented at parent- teacher meetings, on school councils, on school boards, etc. l Linguistic and cultural diversity in the community not matched by diversity among educators

Enhanced confidence –> increased participation? l Educational opportunity is a strong pull factor for immigrant parents l Education system is often their first point of contact: local and personal l Increased confidence, satisfaction, and involvement with education system may enhance participation in other institutions and processes

Exemplary Programs and Services l Reception centres l ESL support l Upgrading programs l Homework clubs l Bilingual or first language tutoring l First language assessment l Multilingual resource collections l Translation/interpretation services l Orientation/mentoring for teachers trained in other countries l Heritage language schools l Heritage language programs l Visiting artists and writers l Programs for parents l Multicultural Liaison

Roles and Responsibilities l At the school level l At the school board level l At the provincial level l Federal involvement?

At the School Level l Reception and orientation l Assessment and placement l ESL programs l Monitoring/counselling l Ongoing communication and involvement

At the School Board Level l Reception centres l Data collection l Multilingual services l ESL and heritage language programs l Programs for parents

At the Provincial Level l Data collection: asking the right questions l Funding for ESL and heritage language programs l Multilingual communications l Recruitment/training of teachers

Federal Involvement? l Data collection l National standards and transfer funds for the provision of ESL support and multilingual services l National benchmarks for second language acquisition among school- aged learners

Indicators of Success l Equitable academic achievement among immigrant children and the children of immigrants l Equitable academic achievement among sub-groups l Equitable participation of immigrant parents and educators at school, school board, and provincial levels