Take one look at Alboum's current project roster and you’ll know what we're in the midst of — It's Back to School Time! And we’re just as excited about the promise each new school year brings as you are. The vast majority of our K-12 clients work with us because as a school system they understand the importance of bridging the language barriers present within their community. While statistics and increased government requirements demonstrate the need for schools to diversify their parent handbooks, registration forms, urgent public health messages, and other important information into languages that reflect their student bodies’ demographics, oftentimes understanding the cultural differences is overlooked.

A few years ago, the Latino Research Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, in conjunction with Prince George’s County Public Schools, conducted a study to examine the role and impact of Latino parental involvement in student attendance and achievement and how to best promote participation. With the help of parent surveys and focus groups, the center was also able to identify key cultural differences which impede Latino parents’ involvement in academics. They made the following recommendations for improvement:

• Increase the schools’ bilingual counseling staff
• Translate individual school newsletters and other materials into Spanish
• Have bilingual college representatives speak to parents about college admissions and scholarship information
• Offer English classes for parents
• Provide workshops for Latino parents to help them understand how they can support their children in schools
• Develop a Latino parents’ group to identify other parents who can get involved in school events
• Place Latino parents on advisory committees
• Strengthen communication between educators and Latino parents to establish a better understanding of each other’s culture.

Perhaps the most profound finding of this study was the difference between the American and Latino perception of parent involvement. According to sources, many Latino parents share a high level of respect for educators and regard them as professionals who should not be bothered or interrupted. Latino parents may interpret involvement as interfering with schoolwork and are not necessarily familiar with the concept of teaming up with the school system. Here are ways you can better communicate expectations of parental involvement:

• Include a “Parent Involvement” section in the Spanish language version of your parent handbook
• Create informational pamphlets explaining the importance of parental involvement and how Latino parents can support their children in schools
• Translate materials sent home from your Parent Teacher Association
• Have Spanish speaking interpreters available at PTA meetings

The Latino Parental Involvement in Students’ School Attendance and Achievement study is available here for download.

The Laurel Center, working to stop the cycle of domestic and sexual violence, has been serving the City of Winchester, Frederick County and Clarke County in Virginia since 1983. This safe location is home to over 200 women and children who find protection within its doors, and serves as many as 3,000 people per year through emergency housing, advocacy, support services and education.

In 2006, The Laurel Center was named recipient of the United Way’s William M. Battaile Community Impact Award for outstanding service and collaboration in the community. The Center has also received state awards and recognition for volunteer management, criminal justice advocacy and for victim advocacy.

Alboum & Associates helped The Laurel Center reach out to its Latino population by translating a Victim’s Guide on Stalking into Spanish. Around 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men are stalked in their lifetime. This guide provides information on typical behavior of a stalker, what to do in event you’re being stalked, and how to create a safety action plan.

More information on The Laurel Center can be found at www.thelaurelcenter.org or by calling 540-667-6160.

Every month, Translucence Newsletter provides cost-cutting techniques you can implement on your next translation project to ensure spending doesn’t get out of control.

This month: Let Alboum & Associates help you finalize your documents before translation.

Alboum & Associates is available to do more than translate your final documents. We also serve as an advisor on your translation projects. To avoid expensive revisions, extended deadlines and frustration, just ask us to access your documents and point out possible intercultural pitfalls prior to translating.