To support the implementation of the Language Opportunity for our Kids (LOOK) Act in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) contracted CAL to create online courses for parents and educators to aid in creating and sustaining effective ELPACs (English Learner Parent Advisory Councils). ELPACs are groups of parents and guardians who advise districts and schools on matters that impact English learners.

CAL conducted research on best practices for family engagement with EL families and interviewed parents, educators, and school officials from three Massachusetts school districts. The resulting courses, ELPACs in Districts and Schools: Training for Educators and ELPACs for Parents help districts and parents work together to create vibrant ELPACs. The course for parents is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and includes a Parent Leadership Toolkit containing documents with guidance on topics including recruiting ELPAC members, running multilingual meetings, and holding meetings online.

Both courses also feature videos shot on-location in Massachusetts containing interviews with parents, educators, and school officials about the importance of family engagement and how ELPACs can be started and sustained.

To learn more about ELPACs and view these courses, please visit https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/families/elpac/