Thread by @latimes

Francisco Lozano organizes and trains Mixteco and Spanish-speaking parents, to help them understand the educational system so they can better advocate for their children.

But even Lozano struggled to help his daughter when schools closed.
latimes.com/california/sto…

She was given a tablet, but he needed help understanding how to get her logged into class.

He tried calling the school while on breaks from his work as a gardener.

Nearly three weeks passed before she was able to join her virtual classroom.
latimes.com/california/sto…

Nearly 20% of students in California are considered English learners.

By almost every academic success measure — graduation rates, college preparation, dropout rates, state standards — these students rank among the lowest-achieving groups.

And that was before the pandemic.

Myriad challenges result from circumstances outside of school: Latino and immigrant families have been devastated during the pandemic.

Many older students have had to take care of siblings, take jobs or find ways to learn in crowded homes.

latimes.com/california/sto…

But virtual classrooms also pose unique challenges for English learners, making it difficult for teachers to use techniques like small groups and visual cues that help language learners.

latimes.com/california/sto…

School districts also found there were almost no distance learning resources for English learners.

Read the full story from @palomaesquivel at
latimes.com/california/sto…