Action Opportunities for Community Leaders

• Get a copy of the LEA Title III plan and find out which community organizations gave input to the plan as required by law. Offer your services and expertise. Use the planning process as a community-building activity and involve the larger community in the plan’s development.
• Find out what test your state will be using to measure academic achievement objectives for ELL students. If not in the child's native language, find out how they intend to determine progress.
• Ask about SEA or LEA plans to subcontract with community based organizations (CBOs) to provide teachers and educators with professional development and training in developing effective means of working with LEP students.
• Ask about SEA or LEA plans to subcontract with CBOs to provide outreach and literacy services to parents and families of LEP students.
• Take the opportunity to build or enhance community service links, such as social services, preventive health programs, parenting training, drug and substance abuse programs, and supplemental language programs.
• Monitor the instructional progress of LEP students. Work with school districts, policymakers, and elected officials to ensure that LEP students have appropriate resources and materials to adequately support their instructional program.
• Work with parents and community representatives to ensure that NCLB provisions are implemented.
• Educate parents and community representatives about the provisions of Title III and what their rights are under the law. Organize community dialogues and town meetings to bring together parents of various language and ethnic groups to discuss critical educational and instructional issues.
• Track the use of Title III funds to make sure they are being spent appropriately.