Studies show that when parents get involved in their children’s education, students tend to have better grades and attend school more regularly. At a recent community discussion hosted by KPBS, education leaders from San Diego’s South Bay talked about how language barriers and concerns about federal immigration policies make it harder for some parents to take part.
Monica Griego, executive director of the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) in San Diego, said it helps to explain school terms like “school site councils” and “Individualized Education Plans.”
“Parents need to feel confident to ask, ‘What does that mean? Can you explain?’” Griego said. “If parents don’t understand the language schools use, they can’t join the conversation.”
PIQE runs workshops that teach parents how to navigate the school system and support their children with homework.
Many parents they work with are immigrants and English language learners. Recently, Griego said, it has become harder to reach these families because schools are less willing to share class lists and contact details. This is due to fears related to federal immigration rules.
“Even promoting our programs is a challenge because that information is restricted now,” she said.
Vanessa Barrera, president of the Southwest Teachers Association, said offering childcare and meals at evening events helps schools attract more parents.
“This is becoming more common thanks to community school grants many districts have received,” she said.
Barrera also suggested that South Bay districts rethink their school calendars to improve attendance and family involvement.
“Our school year begins in July,” she explained. “But many families take vacations in July and August, so some students don’t start school on time.”
She added that attendance often drops around Easter because many Catholic families plan trips during that time, even if spring break is scheduled differently.
“We need to consider the needs of our community better,” Barrera said.
Students who cross the border face extra challenges. Isabella Barajas, who crossed daily during her senior year, described it as the hardest year of her life.
“It was exhausting physically,” she said. “There were also cultural differences I had to deal with.”
Barajas said she had to explain the new school system to her parents.
“As a student, explaining it to them was very hard,” she said. “Then I had to translate everything into Spanish. It was honestly tiring.”
The Transfronterizo Institute helps students like Barajas apply for financial aid and get ready for college. Barajas said the institute gave her support she didn’t get at school. She now studies at San Diego Mesa College.
Griego said that school districts must invest more in parent engagement efforts.
“There are many great organizations doing amazing work for students,” she said. “But if families don’t know about these tools or can’t use them, they don’t help.”
She added that helping parents get involved is essential for their children’s success.
