DALLAS (AP) — Federal funding is helping Texas school districts teach parents as well as their children to expand English learning opportunities.
The Dallas Morning News reports a recent report by the Urban Institute found that one out of three Texas children younger than age 8 has at least one immigrant parent, compared to the national average of one out of four children.
The Dallas Independent School District has an extensive adult basic education program supported through federal grant money that last year served more than 5,000 people.
Regional coordinator Nelia Jones says it encourages "all those things we know how to do and take for granted."
Programs may include English instruction or Spanish-language parenting classes, in an effort to promote literacy in the home so that children arrive in school better prepared.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
