More Resources Declaration of Rights for Parents of English Language Learners Secretary Paige's Remarks Event Photos Partners in Hispanic Education

U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Deputy Under Secretary of Education Maria Hernandez Ferrier today kicked off the department's second annual summit on English language acquisition by unveiling a new initiative to help parents play a more active role in their child's education.

"Ten Key Benefits for Parents of English Language Learners" is a summary of the No Child Left Behind Act's most important provisions that affect the nation's approximately five million English language learners. The department's goal is to provide a copy of the document to all parents so that they can fully understand and benefit from the No Child Left Behind Act.

Under the No Child Left Behind Act, parents of English language learners can expect:

1. To have their child receive a quality education and be taught by a highly qualified teacher.
2. To have their child learn English and other subjects such as reading—language arts and math at the same academic level as all other students.
3. To know if their child has been identified and recommended for placement in an English language acquisition program, and to accept or refuse such placement.
4. To choose a different English language acquisition program for their child.
5. To transfer their child to another school if his or her school is identified as "in need of improvement."
6. To apply for supplemental services for their child, such as tutoring, if the child's school is identified as "in need of improvement" for two years.
7. To have their child tested annually to assess his or her progress in English language acquisition.
8. To receive information regarding their child's performance on academic tests.
9. To have their child taught with programs that are scientifically proven to work.
10. To have the opportunity for their child to reach his or her greatest academic potential.

"Parents of English language learners, like all parents, want the best possible education for their child," Secretary Paige said. "With the historic No Child Left Behind reforms, we have the framework to ensure that all children receive a quality education. Unfortunately, parents of English language learners often face cultural and linguistic obstacles to becoming fully involved in their child's education. That's why we've created a new guide to help parents understand the benefits of the No Child Left Behind Act. We want all English language learners to succeed in school and have the same opportunity to build a life of hope and opportunity.

"Immigrants come to this country seeking a better life for their family. No Child Left Behind helps these parents become more involved in their child's educational outcome, thus helping to fulfill the dreams of parent and child alike. Each of these ten benefits will help parents take an active, involved role—because if they know what to expect for their child, they will be in a much better position to help their child succeed in school."

Secretary Paige unveiled the initiative as he kicked off "Celebrate our Rising Stars," the department's second annual summit on English language acquisition, which brings together more than 1,500 of the nation's educators, policy makers and parents. This year's theme is "Success in School: Everyone's Responsibility—Every Child's Right," and the conference runs through Dec. 4 at the Hilton Washington in Washington.

"One of the most important goals under No Child Left Behind is to close the enormous achievement gap that exists between mostly minority children and their peers," Paige said. "Because English language learners face some of the biggest challenges in our educational system, we want to ensure that they get the quality education they deserve. This year, we are making parents the focus of our summit because No Child Left Behind provides them benefits and options they have never had."

Maria Hernandez Ferrier, who leads the department's Office of English Language Acquisition, said schools must provide English language learners the same educational opportunities to meet the same high academic standards as their peers.

"Research shows that students who cannot read or write in English have a greater likelihood of dropping out of school, and they often face a lifetime of diminished opportunity," said Hernandez Ferrier. A quality K-12 education will guarantee that every child who aspires to a college education will be academically prepared to enter an institution of higher learning."

The summit began with a multi-cultural opening ceremony which included a parade of international flags, a tribute to the American flag, a poem read in English and Spanish by two students of a successful dual language instruction program, and a traditional Chinese lion dance.

Approximately 80 percent of English language learners speak Spanish. Nineteen states have reported an increase of between 50 and 200 percent of these students in the last three years. To meet the needs of English language learners, annual funding for Title III has almost doubled—to $665 million—since President Bush took office.

Before No Child Left Behind, federal funds for the instruction of English language learners were distributed through a competitive grant distribution process. Now, funding distribution is based on populations to ensure that money is distributed to every state for all English language learners in the country.

"Our nation has embarked on an historic journey to teach every child," Paige said. "Every child is important to the future of America, and every public school must be a place of high expectations and high achievement."

No Child Left Behind is designed to change the culture of America's schools by closing the achievement gap, offering more flexibility, giving parents more options and teaching students based on what works.

Under the act's strong accountability provisions, states must describe how they will close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve academic proficiency. In addition, they must produce annual state and school district report cards that inform parents and communities about state and school progress.

Schools that do not make adequate progress after two years must provide public school choice; followed by supplemental services, such as free tutoring or after-school assistance; then take corrective actions; and, if still not making adequate yearly progress after five years, make dramatic changes to the way the school is run.

More information about the No Child Left Behind Act is available at www.ed.gov.

For more information about the summit on English language acquisition, please visit http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/summit.htm

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