Working with Culturally Diverse Families

"Schools with high numbers of children with disabilities who are also English Language learners or from minority backgrounds face unique challenges to student achievement. Research, as well as experience, has shown parent involvement and engagement to be key factors in student success."

From the United States (US)' Minnesota School and Family Connection project, this dedicated section of the PACER Center website offers training videos, research literature, and practice guides and tools for educators and school administrators seeking to engage culturally and linguistically diverse families, with a focus on families of children with disabilities. Educators can also find tools and resources created for parents to share with families they are working with, translated into Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. The goal is to build effective home-school communication and promote meaningful family involvement in children's learning. The idea is that, when schools are intentional and proactive in using culturally-competent strategies to provide information and support to families who are from diverse cultures or speak another language, they pave the way for better outcomes for students.

As part of the 5-year collaborative effort by the nonprofit national organisation the PACER Center, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), and Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts, this resource builds on a foundation of current research and support by parent focus group and school staff feedback. PACER parent advocates and multicultural specialists worked with school staff to design the customised training and resources for families and educators. Sections of the webpage include:

• Video Series - Parent Voices on Parent Involvement
• Research on Parent Involvement with Diverse Families - includes a representative list of recent research literature on multicultural parent involvement and engagement, particularly those which address the interests and needs of educators.
• National Researched-based Practice Guides & Tools for Engaging Families from Diverse Cultures - a representative list of research-based practice guides and tools, particularly those which address the interests and needs of educators.
• Resources for Parents from Diverse Cultures - tools to help parents support their child's academic performance, become more informed decision makers about their child's education, and improve home-school communication and partnership. The tools for parents are also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali.
• Resources for Educators - recorded professional development trainings that provide strategies for building effective partnerships with families. Related printed resources are also available.
• Parent and Educator Perspectives - gathered through culturally-specific parent focus groups and interactive school-staff discussion groups.
• National Parent Involvement and Family Engagement Organizations.