Children experience higher academic achievement and social adjustment when parents are involved in their education, but navigating a school system can be challenging. For the 1 in 5 U.S. residents who speak a language other than English at home, that challenge is compounded. Language barriers make it difficult for parents with limited English proficiency (LEP) to advocate for their children, talk to educators about their child’s progress, and access information. In this article, Kristin Quinlan, CEO of Certified Languages International, offers advice on how schools can harness language services to improve educational outcomes and allow parents to be active participants in their child’s education and overall school life.
