Some schools have made cross-cultural understanding a part of their formal curriculum. During this month, teachers of both core academic subjects and electives focus on developing students' respect for diversity. By hiring bilingual teachers, aides, and administrative staff, all of the schools provide students with role models who share their own parents' language and culture. By allowing students to speak and write in the language of their choice, schools convey a message of acceptance toward speakers of other languages. The self-esteem and motivation of LEP students is also likely to be enhanced by their inclusion as integral members of the school community.
Schools provide social services to students and their families.
Many of the schools studied in this project are located in low-income neighborhoods, and at most schools a majority of the students come from poor families. By providing social services to the families of their students, schools relieve parents of some of the stresses of poverty, allowing them to participate more fully in their children's education. Schools provide some services themselves, and arranged for other services by community agencies. At Del Norte Elementary School in El Paso, Texas, the school counselor is also available to counsel families of students. A home liaison teaches parents about nutrition and meal planning, banking and budgeting.