Supporting Students Who Use African American English: How Families Can Become Strong Advocates for Their Children

Through teaching and research, the authors have seen the magnificent ways that Black people use language to connect people, families, and communities across the Black diaspora. When students come to school using African American English, they know that many of their relatives, friends, and neighbors speak like them. They may also know that many of their educators do not use this variety of English. The message that African American students may internalize is that educators expect them to learn a new way of communicating--and that it may be at odds with their home language and culture. Parents and caregivers may need to advocate for their children by connecting with key educators and community members--including guidance counselors, learning specialists, administrators, teachers, and doctors. Through advocacy, students' needs can be met by working together to ensure that support and resources are fully available for all Black students. This article focuses on four key educational situations where advocacy may be particularly important: (1) building reading and literacy skills; (2) accessing speech, language, and hearing services; (3) developing individualized education plans; and (4) identifying support for gifted and talented students.