Americans can be a pretty self-centered lot. Take the issue of language. Most of us speak English, and we have a difficult time looking beyond our own experience. Kids in many other countries grow up speaking two or sometimes more languages. Do we give this impressive feat the admiration it deserves? We do not. We chastise bilingual speakers for not knowing English “well enough.” We get frustrated—and rude—when we can't understand them. We sometimes refuse to work with them, and we absolutely refuse to make life any easier for them.
If there's one place where we should be able to get past these kinds of prejudices, it's public schools. All children have a right to an education, and educators have a responsibility to meet students where they are, to work with them no matter their backgrounds or their current situations, and to help them become their very best selves.
Unfortunately, that's not always how things work. U.S. educators can be just as blind to their biases as anyone else, and there are plenty of teachers and educators out there who mistreat multi-lingual students, deliberately or otherwise. And even where that's not the case, the system itself frequently puts secondary English speakers at a disadvantage.
If your child's school is treating them unfairly because they aren't native English speakers, we can help. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is dedicated to the proposition that all students deserve fair treatment and the best possible chance at a quality education. We're ready to fight for your child and your family. To find out more, call 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.
Progression Issues
Maybe the most fundamental problem non-native English students face is in making academic progress. Educational materials aren't usually printed in multiple languages. Tests aren't usually written in multiple languages.
The thing is, intelligence has nothing to do with the language you speak. If English isn't your first language, though, you can be at a significant disadvantage when it comes to showing just how smart you are. Instructors don't always take the time to understand what's happening with their students. They see mistakes in an essay or wrong answers on an exam and nothing more and don't stop to ask why. They just take out that red pen. Your child shouldn't be penalized because they speak English as a second language. The fact is, they should be rewarded for their ability to navigate a system that isn't set up for them. They should be honored for taking the time to learn how to communicate with different groups of people. And they should certainly be given credit for what they know, whether or not they know it in the correct language.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can make sure your child is treated fairly. We know the law, and we've dedicated our careers to issues in education. We know who to talk to when there's a problem, and we know exactly what to say. Whether you need to file a grade complaint or you're just looking to help an instructor better understand your child's abilities, we're here to help.
Disciplinary Issues
What is the root of most disciplinary issues? Misunderstandings. Communication is hard, and even those of us who speak the same language can struggle to understand one another. Maybe an instructor decides you're angry over a low grade when all you really want is extra help. Maybe you just don't understand a rule, so you wind up breaking it without meaning to. Maybe you're in a relationship, and a misunderstanding has led to misconduct allegations.
Again, most schools' rules aren't posted in multiple languages. A teacher's instructions about plagiarism may not be clear to someone who doesn't speak English. Misunderstandings happen in all relationships, let alone those where the couple speak different languages.
It's not unusual, then, for second language speakers to find themselves accused of all forms of misconduct even when they've done nothing wrong. Accusations can lead to investigations, hearings, and sometimes serious sanctions such as suspension and expulsion. Even when the penalty is nothing more than a warning, a disciplinary black mark on your child's record can keep them from getting into a good college or from getting a good job.
The moment your child is accused, it's important you contact the Lento Law Firm to see how we can help. We know how to talk with educators; we do it every day. We've represented hundreds of students in investigations and hearings. We even know how to convince schools to remove misconduct notations from student records. The only question is, what can we do for your child?
Bullying Issues
Bullying remains a pervasive problem in American schools, and most of the time, it's based on differences. Kids struggle to understand why someone is different from them, and all too often, their response is to condemn. Weak English skills can be one of those differences.
Most states now have laws that specifically prohibit school bullying. When bullying occurs, schools are required to take allegations seriously, conduct thorough investigations, and issue appropriate punishments to those who have been caught.
If your child is being bullied because they're not a native English speaker, you have the right to hold their school responsible. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help pressure schools and districts to act. When they refuse to act, we can help you file litigation against them to recoup any losses you and your family may have suffered.
The Lento Law Firm Can Help
Your child deserves the same educational opportunities as any other child. Not only should their ability to speak multiple languages not be a handicap in the classroom, it should be celebrated. We can make sure it is.
The Lento Law Firm was founded to help students succeed. We believe that all students deserve fair treatment and that schools and school districts have a sacred responsibility to create a safe, welcoming learning environment. If your child isn't finding that, don't wait. Contact the firm's Student Defense Team today to find out how we can help.
For more information, call us today at 888-535-3686 or click here and tell us about your problem.
