Which statement accurately reflects the involvement of parents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the education process?

• A. Parents should be informed but not involved
• B. Only in testing
• C. Parents of culturally linguistically diverse backgrounds should be involved in all stages of the unique education process
• D. External consultants should replace parents

Answer: (C)

Engaging families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds as active partners across assessment, planning, instruction, progress monitoring, and transition is essential. When parents are involved at every stage, the education plan reflects the child’s language needs, cultural values, and daily routines, leading to more relevant goals, consistent strategies at home and school, and stronger overall outcomes. This collaboration recognizes families as essential experts about their child and builds trust, communication, and shared responsibility—an especially important foundation for students with severe-profound disabilities who rely on coordinated supports across environments. Simply informing families or limiting their input to testing misses valuable insights and can hinder progress, while replacing families with external consultants undermines the home–school partnership and ignores the family’s central role in the child’s education.