Defending Our Children’s Future
Why We Must Protect IDEA and the Education System

Still Waiting: The Silence from School Districts and Why It Matters to Parents

An Open Letter to Our School District Leaders

Parents and caregivers play an essential role in their children’s education. When schools and districts communicate clearly, families can plan, support, and advocate for their children with confidence. However, many parents have been reaching out to districts with important questions—about curriculum, special education services, language access, and safety—only to receive no response or unclear information. This silence creates uncertainty and concern, leaving families feeling unheard and unwelcome in the schools their children attend.

What’s Missing?

The issue isn’t just a lack of responses; it’s the inconsistency and delay in communication. Parents report receiving:

• Emails that arrive too late for meaningful action.

• Conflicting information from different district sources.

• No response at all after multiple attempts to get clarification.

• Limited access to translated materials or bilingual support, leaving non-English-speaking families in the dark.

For families navigating special education services, this communication gap is even more concerning. Parents need timely updates and clear instructions to advocate effectively for their children’s needs. The current lack of responsiveness makes an already complex process even more challenging.

The Emotional Toll on Families

Beyond the logistical frustrations, there’s an emotional impact. Parents want to feel like valued partners in their children’s education. When messages go unanswered, it sends a signal that their concerns are not a priority. This breakdown in trust can lead to disengagement, frustration, and, ultimately, a feeling that schools are not as welcoming as they claim to be.

No parent should feel like they are fighting to be heard when all they want is to ensure their child receives the support and education they deserve.

District Responses: Who is Listening?

Our organization sent letters to two districts outlining the importance of clear communication and providing an in-depth guide for effective messaging. San Antonio Independent School District responded immediately, demonstrating a willingness to engage and collaborate. However, Edgewood Independent School District has remained silent despite three separate attempts via email, a direct conversation with a board member, and sending the guide directly.

This lack of response raises concerns about Edgewood ISD’s commitment to transparency and family engagement. Parents deserve acknowledgment and action, not silence.

A Call to Action

We urge our district leaders to step forward and improve how they communicate with families. A few small but meaningful steps could make a world of difference:

• Acknowledge parent inquiries, even if a full response will take time.

• Ensure timely and consistent communication through multiple channels (email, phone, text, and in-person meetings).

• Improve language accessibility by making all key information available in Spanish and other commonly spoken languages in the community.

• Create open forums for parents to ask questions and receive direct responses from district officials.

Parents are here. We are engaged. We are listening. The question is—are our school districts willing to speak?

The time to bridge this gap is now. The community is waiting.

It all begins with accepting where we are and where we want to be academically.