Resources for Parents from Diverse Cultures
These tools are designed to help schools work with parents from diverse cultures to support the family’s engagement in their child’s education. Tools are provided to help parents support their child’s academic performance, become more informed decision makers about their child’s education, and improve home-school communication and partnership.
Information Handouts
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Keys to Success in the Family-School Partnership
As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. When your child enters school, you and the school become partners in what you both hope will be the successful development and education of your child. Years of research show that the more families are actively involved in the education of their children, the more successful the child will be in school and in life. This handout will give you some tips for creating a positive and productive partnership.
( Hmong Version )
( Somali Version )
( Spanish Version )
Tools for Parents
School Record Keeping Folders
To Order:
Email PACER or call 952.838.9000 and request Publication MPC-6, specifying the language
Minnesota families receive one folder set at no cost.
Price: $10 each | 10+ copies $8 each
To advocate effectively for your child (speak up on his or her behalf), and make good decisions about your child’s education, you need to have important information from the school. School records, such as test scores, report cards, or behavior reports, all contain information for making educational decisions. Keeping track of school paperwork is an important part of parent involvement.
Being organized will make it easier for you to use the information to keep track of your child’s progress in school, and this School Record Keeping Folder is a practical way to do that. Each tabbed folder also has tips for gathering and using the information in that section to help your child to be successful in school.
Folders included in the set:
- Important School Information
- School Meetings About My Child
- Home and School Communication
- Report Cards and Test Reports
- Other Important Records
- Schoolwork Samples and Awards
Available in English, Hmong, Spanish, and Somali
Special Education School Record Keeping Folders
To Order:
Email PACER or call 952.838.9000 and request Publication PHP-a5
Minnesota families receive one folder set at no cost.
Price: $10 each | 10+ copies $8 each
Special education records contain important information for making educational decisions. Parents should keep copies of the records and use them for educational planning with the school.
Parent involvement matters: Parents want their children to learn, have friends, and be happy in school. Research has shown that when parents are involved in their child’s education, students are more likely to:
- Show positive attitudes toward school
- Attend school regularly
- Earn higher grades and test scores
- Graduate and continue their education after high school
Folders included in the set:
- Current Special Education Program
- Home and School Communication
- Current School Evaluation Report
- Report Cards and Test Reports
- Other Important Records
- Schoolwork Samples and Awards
Available in English
IEP Meeting Parent Tip Card
Laminated cards with questions to ask during your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, as well as questions to ask about the IEP process. 2014. (See Translations pages for Hmong, Spanish, and Somali.)
Available in English, Hmong, Spanish, and Somali
To Order:
Email PACER or call 952.838.9000 and request Publication PHP-a45
Price: $0.25 each | 100+ copies $0.20 each
One free copy available to Minnesota parents or guardians of children with disabilities and to Minnesota young adults (age 14 and older) with disabilities.
IEP Meeting Parent Tip Card for Transition Age Students with Disabilities (Ages 14+)
Laminated cards with questions to ask during your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting about the transition planning process. 2018.
Available in English
To Order:
Email PACER or call 952.838.9000 and request Publication AP-47
Price: $0.25 each | 100+ copies $0.20 each
One free copy available to Minnesota parents or guardians of children with disabilities and to Minnesota young adults (age 14 and older) with disabilities.
Family Fun Reading Activity Cards
These activity cards help your child develop literacy skills that are important for reading and learning success. You can do these fun skill-builders at home, in your neighborhood, and on the go! For children in grades K-3.
Available in English, Hmong, Spanish, and Somali
To Order:
Email PACER or call 952.838.9000 and request Publication PHP-a43
Price: $4 each | 10+ copies $2.50 each | 100+ copies $2.00 each
One free copy available to Minnesota parents or guardians of children with disabilities and to Minnesota young adults (age 14 and older) with disabilities.
Family Fun Math Activity Cards
These activity cards help your child develop math skills that are important for learning success. You can do these fun skill-builders at home, in your neighborhood, and on the go! For children in grades K-3.
Available in English, Hmong, Spanish, and Somali
To Order:
Email PACER or call 952.838.9000 and request Publication PHP-a46
Price: $4 each | 10+ copies $2.50 each | 100+ copies $2.00 each
One free copy available to Minnesota parents or guardians of children with disabilities and to Minnesota young adults (age 14 and older) with disabilities.
Training Videos
Help Your Child Succeed at School: What Parents Need to Know
The goal of this series is to help you, the parent of a child, help your child succeed at school and improve his or her reading skills.
Videos in this Series
Video 1: You Can Help Your Child Succeed 16:00 min
Video 2: Let's Read 11:18 min
Video 3: Teacher's Top Three Tips 9:15 min
Video 4: Learning Challenges 8:47 min
Ayude a su Hijo a Tener Éxito en la Escuela: Lo que los Padres Necesitan Saber
La meta de esta serie de videos es ayudar a usted, el padre de su hijo, a ayudar a su hijo a tener éxito en sus estudios y mejorar sus destrezas de lectura.
Videos en esta Serie
Video 1: La Importancia de Participación de la Familia en la Educación 17:20 min
Video 2: Mejorando las Destrezas de Lectura de su Hijo 21:33 min
Pab kom koj tus me nyuam kawm tau ntawv: Qhov cov niam txiv yuav tau paub
Lub hom phiaj ntawm cov kev qhia no yog pab koj, tus me nyuam niam thiab txiv, los pab kom koj tus me nyuam kawm tau ntawv thiab txhawb koj nws txawj nyeem ntawv mus ntxiv
Cov video qhia sib txhuas zus
Daim ib: Koj muaj cuab kav pab kom koj tus me nyuam kawm tau ntawv 21:55 min
Daim ob: Nyeem ntawv seb 21:33 min
Daim peb: Tus kws qhia ntawv thawj peb qho tswv yim 18:44 min
Daim 4: Kawm tsis tshua tau ntawv 22:19 min
You can also check out our Parent Perspective Videos - Parent Voices on Parent Involvement Series
Parents answering questions about the importance of school involvement, how to be involved in your child's education, wishes, barriers, and tips.
