Brenda Torres said she left a parent-teacher conference at Clendenin Elementary School last year without understanding her son Jesus' progress. She said the teacher spoke only English, and when she asked if the teacher spoke Spanish, the answer was no.
According to 2024 U.S. Census data cited in the report, about a quarter of El Paso County residents say they speak English "less than very well." Over 65% of county households speak Spanish at home. Census officials note that this answer does not necessarily mean a person cannot speak English.
Spanish-speaking parents told El Paso Matters they have faced language barriers when seeking information from schools or teachers and at events such as open houses, award ceremonies and parent meetings. During the spring, some parents, their children and local activists spoke at El Paso Independent School District board meetings and asked for better translation services. Parent and community activist Diana Ramirez told El Paso Matters in September that the district "has a history of pushing out families who don't speak English." She pointed to a cheating scheme involving ninth-grade students with limited English proficiency.