El Paso Independent School District Case Study Analysis

Preventing Future Dropouts through

Good Communication

Presented by Business Team 7:

Dianne Soto

Josie Trejo

Salvador Valenzuela, Jr.

Leola Young

The purpose of this case study analysis

• The purpose of this study is to show that the dropout rate for El Paso Region 19 is increasing each year.

• This in turn demonstrates the need to improve parental involvement between school administrators and teachers.

• The way we would improve parental involvement is through communication.

Description of El Paso ISD

• The school district has a diverse range of students.

• Total enrollment:• 62,328• 70%- economically

disadvantage• 30%- Limited English

proficiency• 62%- At Risk• 70%- Hispanic

What’s the Problem?• Dropout rate has

increased in El Paso Region whereas it has decreased statewide.

• Dropout rates for African Americans as well as Hispanics were Higher than for White students.

• Communication needs to be strengthen between the parents, students and the schools

Parental Communications

• School board members and officials should be able to know the Spanish language in order to communicate with the parents.

• Newsletters and pamphlets should be printed in both English and Spanish to insure that the information is being understood by the parents.

• Having open communication among students and parents to ensure that students need their education to help them succeed in their future.

S.W.O.T.• Every school in the El Paso Independent School

District has a S.W.O.T. system in place.

• It is up to the schools to come together as a community and discuss the areas that need to be address in regards to helping parents break through the language barrier and come with confidence to help their children finish high school and move onto college.

What is S.W.O.T.?• Strengths

• Weakness

• Opportunities

• Threats

Strengths• To keep the lines of communication open

between students, parents and the school we need to publish information in both English and Spanish.

• Teachers need to continue to be educated with the latest research that are available for our students and parents.

Weaknesses• None of the school representatives

understood Spanish which in turn became the cause of the language barrier between the schools and their students and parents.

• It is difficult to get parents involved and engage in the schools.

Opportunities• Provide our students with the necessary

elements that are needed for them to succeed in completing high school.

• Broadcast board meetings and important information regarding the students education on Spanish radio station and television.

Threats• Not enough information being filtered to

the parents of the students

• Not having information ready for parents before meetings

• Not enough resources or opportunities made available for our students success

Some Communication Challenges

• Language barrier is an obstacle between the parents and the schools.

• Understanding the roles of teachers, parents and students

• Engaging parents with positive information

• Option for working parents

Recommendations• School boards and officials as well

as teachers have some classes in learning the Spanish language to better communicate with parents and students.

• Send information in both languages so that information is understood with success.

• Teachers can make a positive phone call so that parents will not feel that it is always something bad that they are going to hear.

• Online communication should be made available to all parents including working parents as well.

In Conclusion

Good communication to the parents and students by the school officials and teacher will determine how successful the parents can convince their child to continue school for a better life.