They may not understand why families should participate in children's learning, or why problem solving is a more effective way to learn than rote memorization. The competitive nature of Western education may clash with the values of some ethnic groups. Some parents may fear that they will fail at math as they did in the past. Several different ways of working with limited English proficient parents have been successful. Materials can be produced in several languages.
Bilingual teachers can translate coursework during group sessions.
Students fluent in English can translate lessons and problems and then work on them with their families in their home language. Older, English-fluent siblings can help younger children and their parents understand the lessons. Teacher Development Two longstanding general educational goals are to increase the number of minority teachers and the number of teachers qualified to teach the math content specified in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Standards. Traditionally, math teachers do not expect or foster parent participation, as do, for example, reading teachers. One summer family math training program for teachers deals directly with ethnic issues.