Identifying Gaps: Mixtec Parents’ Experiences within the Salinas Union High School District

The Salinas Union High School District has identified low academic performance among Mixtec-speaking students as a significant issue. Since these students are learning English and Spanish simultaneously, they often face language barriers that affect their academic progress. The school system lacks culturally relevant systems and practices to support their unique needs. This gap also leads to limited parental engagement, as Mixtec-speaking parents struggle to navigate the school system further impacting student’s success. Low graduation rates, limited access to higher education, and limited career opportunities are some of the outcomes. In response, Salinas Union High School Pupil and Personnel Services worked collectively with all 11 district schools to implement services aimed at addressing these barriers. This capstone project involved interviewing randomly selected Mixtec-speaking parents from each school site to explore their experiences navigating the school system. The findings reveal significant gaps in communication and resources for the families. Recommendations include developing culturally relevant support systems and increasing access to interpretation services, fostering strong connections between students, school staff, and parents, with the ultimate goal of enhancing student success.