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Mary Martinez-Wenzl
Planning, Public Policy and Management

Jean Stockard, Mentor

County School Districts: Variations in Approaches to Involving Parents of ELL Students

Between 1990 and 2000 Oregon public schools experienced a dramatic increase in the population of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students, an increase of more than 480 percent. This group of children, now 10% of the total Oregon school population, creates a need for special English language instruction programs. Lane County school districts have utilized their autonomy to develop distinct approaches to meet the needs of LEP students. A closer examination of the Eugene, Springfield, and Bethel districts, which have relatively similar demographics of Hispanic students, offers insight into the various approaches to involving parents of LEP students. Interviews of both school administrators and ESL educators and a document analysis of district ELL plans for the 2003-2004 school year form the core of this research. These data shall be examined within the context of statistical data regarding ELL enrollment numbers and funding levels, with emphasis on methods of involving parents. Results will show that the Springfield school district has used the most varied approaches to involve parents of ELL students.