The document discusses the need for schools and teachers to better communicate with culturally diverse parents and families as minority populations in the US grow significantly. It recommends that teachers learn about their students' diverse backgrounds, that schools translate materials and record messages into other languages, invite parents to share their cultures, and make students feel welcome to create an inclusive environment for all families. With the increasing diversity in schools, it is important that educators adapt to best serve students from all backgrounds.

1. Interaction Between Parents, Families, and Schools in a Multi-Cultural Society by Tina Ortiz Crystal Lopez

2. The educational world is about to shift from main-stream to diverse. It is projected that between 2010 and 2050, the growth rates for minority groups will skyrocket while the Caucasian growth rate will go up a mere 5%. It is projected that growth rates among Blacks will be 58%; Hispanics,154%; Asian Americans,180%; and bi-racial Americans, 186%. *Data from: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Promoting+multicultural+personality+development%3a+a+strengths-based%2c...-a0191213589

4. Take a different approach to teaching students that have diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages.

6. What can the school and administration do? Translate all educational correspondence into different languages. Invest in an English as a second language adult program. Invite parents to make presentations about their cultures on a “Celebrating Diversity” night, craft fairs, or other community events. Hire bilingual peer parents to help with parent-teacher meetings or even to do home visits to find out what the parents expect from the school.

8. Use school newsletters to announce cultural and other events sponsored by other groups.

9. Use multicultural materials in school displays.

11. Sources: http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9220/diverse.htm http://www2ed.gov/pubs/ReachFam/sg.html http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Promoting+multicultural+personality+development%3a+a+strengths-based%2c...-a0191213589