A Curricular and Training Program to Increase Hispanic Parental Involvement Navigating the American Educational System (NAES) © An idea whose time has come… Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, Regional Superintendent of Schools

In spite of the huge differences in levels of acculturation, English proficiency, Spanish proficiency, current academic success, family academic background, family support, etc., the following commonality emerged: Great entrenchment and appreciation for being in the United States and a strong determination to ser alguien en la vida, that is, to be somebody in life. Dr. Lourdes Ferrer

The number of foreign-born residents has tripled in the past 30 years and Hispanic is the fastest growing immigration group. During the past 10 years the rate of growth for ELL students has increased by 65% compared to 9% of total K-12 enrollment Did you know that…

Most Hispanics are recruited by industries seeking low-skilled/low-wage labor. Two-thirds of Hispanics live in poverty despite earning more money than in their native countries. The Hispanic youth is the most under- educated major segment of the U.S. population. Continued… By 2030, Hispanic students will comprise one-fourth of the total K-12 population.

Hispanics have the highest drop-out rate in the United States. The involvement of minority parents is decreasing. The lack of Hispanic parental involvement added to a reserved and non-confrontational manner is being perceived as lack of care about their childrens education. Continued…

We need to build bridges to cross generational, academic, linguistic, educational and cultural gaps that exists between the Hispanic community and the American Educational System and within many Hispanic families across the nation. Dr. Lourdes Ferrer

Improved student achievement Better school attendance Better school/classroom discipline Reduced dropout rates Greater self-esteem and self-confidence Greater conduciveness to learning school culture What are the benefits of parental involvement?

According to research, these improvements occur regardless of the economic, racial, or cultural background of the family.

How is the DuPage Regional Office of Education (ROE) responding? Navigating the American Educational System A curricular and training program

What is the purpose of the Navigating the American Educational System (NAES) © program? The purpose is to increase the parental involvement of Spanish speaking immigrants in the academic careers of their children by increasing parental proficiency in navigating the American educational system.

What does NAES © do? It provides Spanish-speaking parents with the knowledge, skills and confidence to: Interact with the school system Manage the academic experiences of their children

NAES © State Test Scores Improved Parental Proficiency Improved Academic Proficiency The end result of NAES © should be improved academic proficiency of Hispanic students. Because Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing minority in the U.S., helping Hispanic students reach academic proficiency is a BIG step in achieving the goals of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Motivational videos to deliver content in an engaging manner, Professional Power Point presentations to visually guide facilitators and parents in each seminar, and Support materials such as facilitator's guide, the scripts in English and Spanish, sample of letters of invitation, sample of certificates of completion, and parent handouts The NAES © curriculum provides all the tools needed to conduct successful parental involvement seminars including:

The NAES © two-day facilitators training provides: A deep understanding of the rationale, purpose, content and format of the parent curricular program; Strategies for the implementation of the program at the school site and delivery of the curriculum; and, Specialized training in the following SIX topics: Next slide…

1.Understanding Hispanic Culture 2.Adult Education and Hispanic Learners 3.Public Speaking and Hispanic Audience 4.School Reform in America 5.Hispanic Trends and Issues in U.S. 6.Parental Involvement Continued…

What is included in the facilitators curriculum? Eight Video Scripts - 4 in English and 4 in Spanish Four Top-Quality Spanish Videos – One for every Parent Seminar Four Power Point Presentations – One for every Parent Seminar Sample of Certificate of Participation for Parents

Continued… Sample of Letter of Invitation for Parents Six Power Point Presentations- 1 for every topic covered during the facilitators training Literature Review for Every Topic Covered in the Facilitators Training

Seminar One will provide Hispanic parents with an understanding of the role of education in the American society and enable these parents to identify and discuss appropriate parental involvement that may improve the academic performance of their children. What does the parent curricular program covers?

Seminar Two will enable Spanish- speaking parents to identify and explain how to communicate with school personnel so that these parents can initiate and maintain successful school experiences. Continued…

Seminar Three will empower Spanish-speaking parents to identify and utilize strategies to maximize their childrens academic potential. This includes topics like managing homework, developing reading skills and planning for post- secondary training or education. Continued…

Seminar Four provides Spanish- speaking parents with the ability to recognize problems and develop strategies for dealing with specific issues which Hispanic students may face as hindrances to their academic success. Continued…

The most important and difficult assignment is aligning parents frame of reference with that of their students teachers. It will assert strategies not commonly used in todays school reform initiatives. Changing parents frame of reference or life paradigm will require changing their beliefs, attitudes and perceptions about themselves and the world around them. This endeavor will require planned persuasive communication, transformational experiences, mentoring and exposure to role models. Parents with a non- conducive to academic success frame of reference will need not only the desire but also the drive to overcome challenges to reach the level of parent proficiency that will allow them to monitor their childrens education. If that happens, everybody wins. Dr. Lourdes Ferrer Helping parents help their kids…

Thank you for all that YOU do on behalf of children! Helping parents help their kids… Dr. Darlene Ruscitti Regional Superintendent of Schools