"For many Latino parents, their unfamiliarity with the subject matter and assignments being taught plays a significant barrier in providing their children with the academic support they need," said the survey.
While we all gained some experience with home-schooling during the pandemic shut down that began in March, many parents across the country share the same concerns.
Yolanda Rodriguez, interim chief academic officer discussed Houston ISD's technology plans in a Houston Chronicle article:
"Houston ISD officials aimed to provide a laptop for every student, but Rodriguez said that likely will not happen by the time schools start virtually on Sept. 8. She said students who lack Internet or technology access would be given paper work packets, contradicting TEA mandates that schools open to students who lack the technology to learn virtually."
According to the survey, subjects most Latino parents were concerned their children were falling behind on included:
Math (59% overall, 68% for rural respondents)
Writing (49% overall, 53% for rural respondents)
Science (47% overall, 53% for rural respondents)
The survey showed Internet access is a main concern.
"If you're getting choppy video, if you're getting choppy reception, if your teacher is kind of cutting in and out due to the quality of your computer or Internet speed, those are little things that can hinder their ability to grasp new concepts," said Robert Fernandez, who has three children in school, to NBC News.
"In the Houston area’s 10 largest school districts, about 9 percent of households — nearly 142,650 — do not have a computer, according to the most recent U.S. Census estimates. Nearly twice that number — about 267,250 households — lack broadband Internet access.
Three of the region’s largest and most impoverished districts — Alief, Aldine, and Houston ISDs — face the greatest shortages, according to Census data and estimates from district leaders."
In addition to helping families gain access to better technology or high-speed Internet, Latino Decisions said 46% of the respondents to the survey also listed finding quality child care in the fall as a challenge, with roughly half of Latino parents or grandparents working outside the home.
As schools make plans for the fall session "developing strategies for implementing suggestions could greatly improve the educational experience for Latino and immigrant families," said Latino Decisions.
©2020 the Houston Chronicle, Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
