"Innovate & Educate" is a monthly column by Mryna Castrejón, President and CEO of CCSA, the largest statewide charter public school association in the U.S. Ms. Castrejón explores statewide K-12 issues through a charter public school lens in this ongoing column. 

As we continue to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s important to not only celebrate our rich culture but also the Spanish language that is deeply woven into the fabric of California.

Just a few decades ago, speaking a language other than English in California public schools was wrongly viewed as a barrier to academic success, forcing students to abandon their native languages under a misguided English-only policy. Thankfully, in 1998, Californians voted to end this practice, and now bilingualism and biliteracy are embraced, enhancing students' academic and personal development.

Today, with around 40 percent of California students speaking a language other than English at home—over 80 percent of whom speak Spanish—public schools offer a range of Spanish language programs that promote global awareness and cultural diversity. This growing acceptance has also empowered Spanish-speaking parents, who now confidently advocate for equitable, high-quality education for their children in their own language.

As the leader of California’s most prominent charter public school membership organization, I know charter public schools are at the forefront of empowering Spanish-speaking parents to be equity champions.

Let me share the story of Elvia Rodriguez, mother to 11-year-old Alexis, who attends Para Los Niños Charter Middle School (PLN) in downtown Los Angeles near. 

Para Los Niños is a nonprofit, grassroots organization that works tirelessly to break the cycle of poverty in low-income immigrant communities by providing early education programs, youth workforce services, and family and community services at no cost. Not only does PLN operate a middle school, but it also runs an elementary school.

Every day, Elvia wakes up at 5:00 a.m., cooks breakfast, and then sends Alexis to school while she heads to her job at a nearby denim factory.

If you ask Elvia how she would describe PLN, one word comes to mind: familia. She says PLN helped her discover the most powerful tool she didn’t realize she had—her voice. That’s because PLN educators create a welcoming environment where Spanish-speaking parents are encouraged to express themselves freely and fully so they’re involved in their child’s education.

PLN Charter Elementary Principal Norma Silva says key to this work is removing language barriers for parents and caregivers, providing free childcare to attend school meetings, and ensuring they can easily engage with school leaders and teachers.

Norma says 98 percent of her school’s student population is Latinx, and nearly all her staff members speak Spanish like the parents. “Parents see a reflection of themselves in our staff,” she said. Removing the language barrier helps parents speak up and participate in meetings and advocacy.

She also offers Café con la Directora, where she helps parents analyze academic performance data and are encouraged to ask her questions. Norma says through these practices, parents are emboldened to have an active say in their children’s academic lives. During her time at the school, Norma has seen parents transform from being advocates for their children to being activists in their communities.

In Elvia’s case, her son Alexis was struggling both socially and emotionally once he entered PLN’s middle school. Elvia knew he needed therapy. In the past, she would have been reluctant and intimidated to ask for additional support, which would have resulted in simply accepting Alexis’ situation.

But thanks to what she learned at PLN, Elvia engaged teachers and leaders at the school, learned about her options, and identified key interventions. Among other things, her son now receives much needed one-on-one support from a therapist which is helping him both inside and outside of the classroom.

With every step, parents and caregivers like Elvia are growing stronger and louder.

Let us raise lift up their voices and support them as they learn to advocate for their children.

At the same time, let us shine a light and support charter public schools like Para Los Niños that are intentionally growing and nurturing the next generation of parent leaders. 

Lea esta columna en español - La Opinión: Empoderar a los padres latinos para que sean campeones de la equidad

Myrna Castrejón has been the President and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association since January 2019. Prior to assuming the role of President and CEO, she served for nearly three years as the Founding Executive Director of Great Public Schools Now. Before that assignment, Myrna worked at CCSA in various key leadership roles since its founding in 2003.