| It's about time there are conversations at the highest | | | | |
| levels regarding English Language Learners (ELLs). | | | | While our school systems are currently not funded to |
| ELLs have long been the invisible elephant in the room | | | | teach English to all parents who want to learn, maybe |
| whenever there have been conversations of any | | | | we should have an increased sense of urgency to do |
| large or long-term significance regarding education in | | | | so. We could dramatically ramp up marketing |
| the U.S. Here in Las Vegas over 20% of students are | | | | community awareness of increased ESL/EFL |
| Limited English Proficiency (LEP), and a significantly | | | | offerings, (at public schools and elsewhere), and also |
| higher percentage than that are enrolled in ELL | | | | improve the effectiveness of the programs by |
| programs. | | | | including some more intense English language |
| | | | | programs in addition to the open-enrollment programs |
| In case nobody has noticed, Latinos (the vast majority | | | | most often available. |
| of ELLs) are the (not-too-distant) future of the U.S. In | | | | |
| Las Vegas, 41% of school kids are Hispanic, vs. 35% | | | | Charter schools and vouchers have a place in K-12 |
| White. If we commit to a focused, significant | | | | education – why not for the kids’ parents as |
| investment in improving their literacy and success in | | | | well? Common sense leads me to believe that money |
| school, we will undoubtedly reap the benefits relatively | | | | spent on helping parents speak (and read and write) |
| soon as a society. Conversely, if we don’t make | | | | English will lead to increased involvement in their |
| that investment we will all continue to pay an | | | | kids’ schoolwork, and thus to more successful |
| escalating price. | | | | students. |
| | | | | |
| But are we missing or ignoring the English language | | | | And in addition to sending their kids to school better |
| proficiency of the students’ parents? Many parents | | | | prepared to learn, parents will be improving their own |
| are even less proficient in English than their kids; which | | | | skills and prospects, leading to better overall quality of |
| of course leads to serious challenges for parents | | | | life for the families – and an improved impact on |
| wanting to help their kids with schoolwork and other | | | | society as a whole. |
| important life skills and lessons. | | | | |