What: The seventh annual Feria Para Aprender, which is free and open to the public. 

Who: Spanish-speaking parents and students who want to learn about resources and services available to help ensure academic success

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26. Press conference begins at noon. 

Where: North Austin Event Center, 10601 N. Lamar Blvd. Park and ride shuttles will be provided to AISD families at Dobie Middle School and Lanier High School. 

Background: Feria Para Aprender provides resources, information and services parents need to help their children succeed academically and to close the achievement gap. AISD will have informational booths and be among the more than 100 informational and educational exhibits by colleges, universities, nonprofits and local organizations. Giveaways include 20,000 books, 10,000 small playground balls and 5,000 toothbrushes.

The fair features enrichment activities such as a mock dual language classroom with live teaching demonstrations for parents and interactive workforce zones, or "career pods," tied to the workforce needs of Central Texas, including health care, teaching, digital media, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. 

Since launching in 2007, Feria Para Aprender has served nearly 100,000 parents and students.  

The event serves as an important educational and outreach tool for AISD to reach its largest student and family population. More than 60 percent of AISD students are Hispanic, and, for 32.9 percent of AISD's student population, the main language spoken at home is not English. Almost 27.3 percent of AISD students are English language learners.