Closing The Achievement Gap For Hispanics/Latinos In Secondary Mathematics By Jeremy Brown

In 2002, it was reported that California had 45% of the total Hispanic student population in the United States enrolled (Mora, 2002).

Fitting In: The Roles of Social Acceptance and Discrimination in Shaping the Academic Motivations of Latino Youth in the U.S. Southeast states: Historically, Latino families have lived primarily in six states—California, New York, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and Illinois. However, the 1990s were marked by the dispersion of Latino families to new settlement states in the South, Midwest, and Western Mountain regions of the United States.

Hispanic Student Achievement Must Increase! Social Science Quarterly says: For example, Latinos have lower test scores across subjects and are less likely than non-Latino whites to take advanced math coursework. A growing Latino student population and the low academic achievement of Latino students currently in the school system, may inhibit the production of a large highly educated and skilled national labor force. (Callahan, 2009)

Hispanics will become the majority American population The future of our country depends on increasing the academic achievement of the Hispanic student population.

Language Barrier Promoting Latino Student Achievement and Development Through the ASCA National Model states: Further complicating matters for these Latino students is the fact that limited English proficiency can lead to lower academic performance in math and reading, particularly when their academic performance is measured by instruments written in English instead of Spanish. (Villalba, 2007)

Resource Guide for Teaching K-12 suggests: Use manipulatives Hand gestures Hands on activities Stimulate the senses All to overcome the language barrier by connecting manipulatives to concepts to help ESL students better understand concepts.

ACTIVITY TIME

Does anyone have any suggestions for specific manipulatives that could be used to help Hispanic ESL students to better understand concepts in secondary math courses ?

“Student Success Skills” Program The SSS program is based on three skill sets consistently identified in extensive reviews of research as contributors to improved academic and social outcomes. These skills sets include (a) cognitive and metacognitive skills such as goal setting, progress monitoring, and memory skills; (b) social skills such as interpersonal skills, social problem solving, listening, and teamwork skills; and (c) self- management skills such as managing attention, motivation, and anger. Further support for these skill sets have been reported by researchers who have linked social and emotional competence to achievement outcomes, including that of students at risk for academic failure. (Webb, 2007)

(Continued) “Student Success Skills” Teach Students and Educators on: goal setting, progress monitoring, managing test anxiety, cognitive and memory skills, being optimistic and how to create a caring, supporting, encouraging atmosphere (Webb, 2007).

Supporting School Completion Among Latino Youth suggests “Setting up a formal after- school study and tutor time in a neighborhood center or church, immediately followed by recreation and food” (Woolley, 2009).

The article Negotiating the American Dream: The Paradox of Aspirations and achievement among Latino Students and Engagement between their Families and Schools reveals that the parents of Hispanic students are frustrated. (continued)

Bilingual Educators and Volunteers Are Needed The Journal of Latinos and Education reveals that California has an increasing number of bilingual educators. California has many Latino students in its school systems.

The article Exploring the Academic Benefits of Friendship Ties for Latino Boys and Girls reveals that grouping Latinos in math and other classes can help close the achievement gap. Social Needs and Comradery Can help each other understand Grouped together for needs to be met

“Mentoring can help to improve math scores. The presence of a mentor was associated with fewer absences, higher educational expectations, and greater expectancies for success and sense of school belonging” (Sanchez, 2008).

RECAP 1. Spanish Speaking Population Growth 2. Class Materials in Spanish 3. Manipulatives 4. Hand gestures incorporated into instruction 5. After School Programs and Study Groups 6. Bilingual Staff and Volunteers 7. Grouping ESL students together

Recap Question Time