Building Collaboration Between Schools and Parents of English Language Learners: Transcending Barriers, Creating Opportunities

Parents of English Language Learners (ELLs) represent a vital source of support for increased student engagement and achievement; they bring skills, values and knowledge that would benefit both students and teachers. Most importantly, they bring profound commitment and motivation: The majority of the parents of ELLs have come to the United States in order that they and their children will have a "better life." And many of these families quickly come to believe that supporting their children's educational attainment is central to turning this dream into a reality. This brief discusses how to build collaboration between schools and parents of ELLs.