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
Find out more about how viruses work, and the best ways to prevent them from infecting more people.
COVID-19 Resources by Region
Locate COVID-19 resources and support from across the region.
Five Helpful Responses for Families
Tips for parents to help talk to their child about how they are feeling during this time.
Mental Health
Information available in Spanish
Support and resources for you and your family during challenging times.
Support and resources for you and your family during challenging times.
PBS - How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
Information available in Spanish
Article and tips for parents with children age two to eight.
Article and tips for parents with children age two to eight.
Scholastic Magazine - Teaching the World: The Coronavirus
A collection of resources by grade-level to help students understand the virus and how to prevent germs from spreading.
Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Information available in Spanish
Resources for families about homework, staying engaged, and understanding the new coverage on COVID-19.
Resources for families about homework, staying engaged, and understanding the new coverage on COVID-19.
Association for Library Service to Children
Offers book recommendations for readers Kindergarten to grade 8.
Bartolo
Literacy activities and games available in English and Spanish.
Brainpop
Information available in Spanish - Brainpop Espanol
Animated Educational Site for Kids with content available in the areas of: Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology.
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.
English language learning program comprised of short, animated movies as well as games, quizzes, and interactive features.
Children’s Books
Information available in Spanish
Materials for families and some free downloadable primary children’s books.
Materials for families and some free downloadable primary children’s books.
Colorín Colorado
Information available in Spanish
Literacy tips for all ages and recommended book lists for middle to high school age.
Literacy tips for all ages and recommended book lists for middle to high school age.
Duolingo
Information available in multiple languages
A free language-learning website and app for elementary and middle school students.
A free language-learning website and app for elementary and middle school students.
English Learner Family Toolkit
Information for families about public schools in the U.S.
ESL Writing Wizard
Create handouts to practice writing on lined paper.
Family Learning Center
A collection of free family-led learning experiences and activities for ages three to twelve.
Fun Brain
Online books and learning games.
Grocery Store Literacy for Preschoolers
Information available in Spanish
Easy ways to build literacy and math skills while at the grocery store.
Easy ways to build literacy and math skills while at the grocery store.
Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
Information available in Spanish
Head Start and Early Head Start programs for early childhood education.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs for early childhood education.
Helping Your Preschool Child
Information only available in Spanish
Activities for parents to do with their preschool child.
Activities for parents to do with their preschool child.
How Stuff Works
Articles broken down by subject along with games, quizzes, and videos.
Kindergarten English Language Arts Tips
Information available in Spanish
Tips for parents to help their child develop reading and writing skills outside of the classroom.
Tips for parents to help their child develop reading and writing skills outside of the classroom.
Parent Guide to Student Success in Kindergarten
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of kindergarten in mathematics and English language arts.
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
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of first grade in mathematics and English language arts.
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
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of second grade in mathematics and English language arts.
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
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of third grade in mathematics and English language arts.
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
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of fourth grade in mathematics and English language arts.
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
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of fifth grade in mathematics and English language arts.
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of fifth grade in mathematics and English language arts.
PBS Kids
Educational games and videos for primary age students and resources for parents.
Read Conmigo
Information available in Spanish
Educational tools for parents and teachers; books and activities for students in prekindergarten to grade 5.
Educational tools for parents and teachers; books and activities for students in prekindergarten to grade 5.
Reading Rockets: English Language Learners
Resources for teachers and parents to help young students with reading.
ReadWriteThink: Comic Creator
A variety of fun, interactive writing activities, including the Comic Creator. Students can fill in comics with their own words and storylines.
RockALingua
Practice Spanish vocabulary through song.
Sesame Street Bilingual Learning Resources
Information available in Spanish
Bilingual resources such as a family activity guide and videos for young children.
Bilingual resources such as a family activity guide and videos for young children.
Scholastic
Educational books and activities for students of all grade levels.
Spanish Playground
Bilingual resources such as games, poems, songs, and videos.
Story Place Preschool online books
Information available in Spanish
Online books and activities for preschool children.
Online books and activities for preschool children.
Stuart Stories
Writing story prompts for students to read and practice their writing skills.
Talking Counts
Information available in Spanish
Practical ideas on how to build a child's vocabulary and background knowledge.
Practical ideas on how to build a child's vocabulary and background knowledge.
TexQuest
Digital resources for students and families.
Texas Association for Bilingual Education
Parent resources in Spanish to help young children in different subjects
The 50 Best ESL Resources for Kids
ESL websites, games and activities, and videos for young children.
The LISA Academy English Language Learner Program
Resources for parents such as articles, websites, and journals.
The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
Some information available in Spanish
Family articles and resources on how to help your young child.
Family articles and resources on how to help your young child.
The Spanish Experiment
Read along books available in Spanish and English.
Tool Kit for Hispanic Families
Information available in multiple languages
Resources and documents to help your young school-aged child succeed in school.
Resources and documents to help your young school-aged child succeed in school.
Unite Literacy
Books to read in English and Spanish.
Brainpop
Information available in Spanish - Brainpop Espanol
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.
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
Learn over 30 languages online or app in short lessons.
English Media Lab Homepage
Exercises for all English learners including grammar and pronunciation exercises, vocabulary videos, and interactive quizzes.
English Online Resources
List of resources to learn English and grow in areas of listening, speaking and writing.
ESL Games World
List of interactive links for ESL students to learn across different content.
Family Learning Center
A collection of free family-led learning experiences and activities for ages nine to twelve.
How Stuff Works
Articles broken down by subject along with games, quizzes, and videos.
Fun Brain
Online books and learning games.
Learn That Word
Review a list of Green and Latin morphemes, meanings, and sample words and definitions.
Parent Guide to Student Success in Sixth Grade
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of sixth grade in mathematics and English language arts.
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
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of seventh grade in mathematics and English language arts.
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
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of eighth grade in mathematics and English language arts.
ReadWriteThink: Comic Creator
An overview of what a child will learn by the end of eighth grade in mathematics and English language arts.
A variety of fun, interactive writing activities, including the Comic Creator. Students can fill in comics with their own words and storylines.
Scholastic
Educational books and activities for students of all grade levels.
TexQuest
Digital resources for students and families.
Duolingo
Learn over 30 languages online or app in short lessons.
English Media Lab Homepage
Exercises for all English learners including grammar and pronunciation exercises, vocabulary videos, and interactive quizzes.
English Online Resources
List of resources to learn English and grow in areas of listening, speaking and writing.
ESL Games World
List of interactive links for ESL students to learn across different content.
High School English Parents’ Guide to Student Success
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn in high school in English language arts.
An overview of what a child will learn in high school in English language arts.
High School Math Parents' Guide to Student Success
Information available in Spanish
An overview of what a child will learn in high school in mathematics.
An overview of what a child will learn in high school in mathematics.
How Stuff Works
Articles broken down by subject along with games, quizzes, and videos.
Learn That Word
Review a list of Green and Latin morphemes, meanings, and sample words and definitions.
ReadWriteThink: Comic Creator
A variety of fun, interactive writing activities, including the Comic Creator. Students can fill in comics with their own words and storylines.
Scholastic
Educational books and activities for students of all grade levels.
TexQuest
Digital resources for students and families.
Virtual Tours of Famous Museums
Video tours of museums from London to Seoul.
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).
For information that explains the assessment, English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs), and accommodations, visit the TELPAS FAQs for Parents in English and TELPAS FAQs for Parents in SpanishOpens a new windowOpens a new window.
For information on how parents can prepare their child for TELPAS, visit TELPAS Parent Tips in English and TELPAS Parent Tips in SpanishOpens a new window.
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
Where can I find community resources and services to support English learners and their families?
Click on the Community Partners box to find info on
Preparing Your Child For Graduation And Beyond
Adult Education
Health And Support Services
Legal Services
Safety