As school systems across the region work harder on such efforts, some parents of non-minority students have expressed concern that spending for those programs may leave less money for other educational priorities. School officials in Alexandria and Arlington said they rarely hear such complaints from parents, but when they do, they stress the long-term importance of the programs. We hope . . . It's shortsighted to do otherwise. The Alexandria City Public Schools system is experiencing a similar trend, and officials there are also implementing special programs to help immigrant and minority students.
Principals can tailor programs to their specific community's needs.
This year is the second year of the plan. One principal plans to use the money to hire translators who speak Urdu and Twi to assist at parent-teacher conferences. Another has used it to buy reading software that allows computer lessons to be given in English and Spanish. For us, we depend on our principals to know where to put the funds. The challenge of educating large numbers of immigrants is one facing the increasingly diverse Washington region and the nation.