Sonja Kerr testified at a City Council hearing on Resolution No. 130782, which calls on the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings on increasing access to city services to immigrant and language-minority populations.

Language access is a big issue in education as well, which Ms. Kerr focused on in her testimony. Along with school children needing adequate English as a Second Language services, parents of these children also need better language services.

She said, “Residents in Philadelphia who speak a language other than English have children who go to our schools and like all parents, need to interact with school staff.”

Ms. Kerr urged the committee to fund the School District of Philadelphia in order that it may provide necessary services to both children and parents.

To read the full resolution, click here, and to read Ms. Kerr’s full testimony, click here.