As immigrant ranks grow, Texas school districts teach moms and dads, too
07:11 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 28, 2010
More than two decades after leaving Mexico, Maria Valdez was working long hours most nights as a cook and still didn't speak English. So last year Valdez, a single mother, signed up for English classes offered for free through the Irving school district. Her 10-year-old son often helps her. "I want him to be proud of me," she said. "I don't want to depend on anyone. I need English."
As the number of children of immigrants attending Texas schools increases, school districts are increasingly taking up the role of educating their parents.
Link: Newsweek list of America's best high schools
Interactive map: Find enrollment changes by race at your school
D-FW area school district Web sites
Databases:
• TAKS scores 2005-2009
• Class of 2007 first-year university grades
• AP classes at D-FW schools
• U.S. income and poverty estimates by school district and county, 2008
• Dallas 5th-graders on track for middle school
• North Texas school rankings 2009
• Texas schools accountability ratings 2009
School districts not only are taking