Parents & Families
This section of the web portal provides relevant information and accessible resources for parents and families of English learners to support the education of their child.
How to Navigate the Parents and Families Page
Resources for English Learners
Brainpop - Coronavirus Videos and Interactive Resources
COVID-19 Resources by Region
Five Helpful Responses for Families
Mental Health
Support and resources for you and your family during challenging times.
PBS - How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
Article and tips for parents with children age two to eight.
Scholastic Magazine - Teaching the World: The Coronavirus
Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Resources for families about homework, staying engaged, and understanding the new coverage on COVID-19.
Association for Library Service to Children
Bartolo
Brainpop
Animated Educational Site for Kids with content available in the areas of: Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology.
English language learning program comprised of short, animated movies as well as games, quizzes, and interactive features.
Children’s Books
Materials for families and some free downloadable primary children’s books.
Colorín Colorado
Literacy tips for all ages and recommended book lists for middle to high school age.
Duolingo
A free language-learning website and app for elementary and middle school students.
English Learner Family Toolkit
ESL Writing Wizard
Family Learning Center
Fun Brain
Grocery Store Literacy for Preschoolers
Easy ways to build literacy and math skills while at the grocery store.
Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
Head Start and Early Head Start programs for early childhood education.
Helping Your Preschool Child
Activities for parents to do with their preschool child.
How Stuff Works
Kindergarten English Language Arts Tips
Tips for parents to help their child develop reading and writing skills outside of the classroom.
Parent Guide to Student Success in Kindergarten
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of kindergarten in mathematics and English language arts.
Parent Guide to Student Success in First Grade
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of first grade in mathematics and English language arts.
Parent Guide to Student Success in Second Grade
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of second grade in mathematics and English language arts.
Parent Guide to Student Success in Third Grade
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of third grade in mathematics and English language arts.
Parent Guide to Student Success in Fourth Grade
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of fourth grade in mathematics and English language arts.
Parent Guide to Student Success in Fifth Grade
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of fifth grade in mathematics and English language arts.
PBS Kids
Read Conmigo
Educational tools for parents and teachers; books and activities for students in prekindergarten to grade 5.
Reading Rockets: English Language Learners
ReadWriteThink: Comic Creator
RockALingua
Sesame Street Bilingual Learning Resources
Bilingual resources such as a family activity guide and videos for young children.
Scholastic
Spanish Playground
Story Place Preschool online books
Online books and activities for preschool children.
Stuart Stories
Talking Counts
Practical ideas on how to build a child's vocabulary and background knowledge.
TexQuest
Texas Association for Bilingual Education
The 50 Best ESL Resources for Kids
The LISA Academy English Language Learner Program
The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
Family articles and resources on how to help your young child.
The Spanish Experiment
Tool Kit for Hispanic Families
Resources and documents to help your young school-aged child succeed in school.
Unite Literacy
Brainpop
Animated Educational Site for Kids with content available in the areas of: Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology.
Brainpop ELL
English language learning program comprised of short, animated movies as well as games, quizzes, and interactive features.
Duolingo
English Media Lab Homepage
English Online Resources
ESL Games World
Family Learning Center
How Stuff Works
Fun Brain
Learn That Word
Parent Guide to Student Success in Sixth Grade
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of sixth grade in mathematics and English language arts.
Parent Guide to Student Success in Seventh Grade
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of seventh grade in mathematics and English language arts.
Parent Guide to Student Success in Eighth Grade
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of eighth grade in mathematics and English language arts.
Scholastic
TexQuest
Duolingo
English Media Lab Homepage
English Online Resources
ESL Games World
High School English Parents’ Guide to Student Success
An overview of what a child will learn in high school in English language arts.
High School Math Parents' Guide to Student Success
An overview of what a child will learn in high school in mathematics.
How Stuff Works
Learn That Word
ReadWriteThink: Comic Creator
Scholastic
TexQuest
Virtual Tours of Famous Museums
How is a child identified as an English learner?
What are the differences between the bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs?
A child is identified as an English learner. Then the child is placed in either a bilingual program or an ESL program. For more information about these programs, select the appropriate brochure, below:
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Bilingual Education Program Brochures
Bilingual Education Program (English)Opens a new window
Bilingual Education Program (Spanish)Opens a new window
Bilingual Education Program (Vietnamese)Opens a new window
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English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Brochures
ESL Program (English)Opens a new window
ESL Program (Spanish)Opens a new window
ESL Program (Vietnamese)Opens a new window
How and when are English learners assessed in Texas?
English learners take the same state assessments as all other children in Texas, currently known as the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR. For parent-friendly information on this assessment, visit the Texas Assessment Opens a new window website.
All English learners are also assessed using the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System, or TELPAS. This assessment measures the progress English learners are making in learning the English language. For information on the STAAR and TELPAS, visit the Information on State Assessments for English Learners web page.
The following resources in English and Spanish provide parents with information on the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS).

Teenager smiling at the camera with other students working in a computer lab

Girl sitting at table.
Are three or four-year-old English learners eligible to attend prekindergarten?
Yes. Some schools provide a prekindergarten program for 3-year-olds, and some for 4-year-olds. English learners who are at least three years of age as of September 1 of the current school year may be eligible to attend a prekindergarten program, if offered for 3-year-olds.
For a full list of eligibility requirements for free public school kindergarten, visit the Prekindergarten Eligibility and AttendanceOpens a new window web page.
For additional guidance for students served through special education and the identification process for English learners to be dually served in bilingual education or English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, visit Guidance on Identification and Placement of English Learners Prior to Kindergarten.
Who can I contact to help me learn English so that I can better support my child at home with their schoolwork?
Some school districts in Texas offer Adult ESL classes for parents of English learners. Check with your school district to see if classes are offered in your area.
In addition, you can quickly locate adult education providers in your area by clicking on the map of Texas.
What are the rights of parents or guardians of English learners?
As a parent/guardian of an English learner you have rights regarding your child’s education access and programming.
Parents/Guardian Rights Guidance in English
Parents/Guardian Rights Guidance in Spanish