Latino Education in Georgia: Challenges and Possibilities Paul Matthews, Bernadette Musetti, Elida Perez-Knapp September 23, 2004

The Center for Latino Achievement & Success in Education: Who we are and what we do Professional Development –Summer Institute; Action Plans –Fall and Spring Follow-Up Conferences –Team-based model: 11 in ; 13 in –Top-Quality Consultants and Experts as Resources –Counselor, Liaison, Other Conferences –ESOL Endorsements

Resources and Support –Website and List-Serves –Publications (e.g., GA ASCD Reporter) –Community Resource Guides –Mexico, Costa Rica Experiences –Faculty and Graduate Student Outreach Oasis tutoring project Mother/Daughter program Guest speaking/Professional Development

Georgia Demographics: Responding to a Need -Statewide, Georgia’s overall population is about 8% Hispanic – est. 660,000. -Many counties and communities are already over 25% Hispanic -Poultry, construction, carpet, agriculture, … -By 2008, at least 12 counties are expected to be >25% Hispanic – some as much as 75%! (UGA Selig Center) And by 2050 the largest group…

Census results, Hispanic/Latino by County

Latino Students in Georgia As of 3/4/2004, the GA DOE counted 106,126 “Hispanic” students grade Pre-K through 12 in Georgia schools. Predominantly at lower grades– fewer than 20,000 in grades ,157 total student count statewide– so about 13.7% of GA students are Hispanic. 2/3 of all Latino students are in just 12 counties –Gwinnett has 19.9% of all Latino students –Cobb Co., 10.0%; DeKalb Co., 6.5%; Fulton Co. 5.9%; Hall Co., 5.7% –But smaller counties may be highly impacted too!

More Demographics According to the GA DOE, as of Spring 2001, almost 61% of Hispanics (42,551 out of a total of 69,953) were classified as Limited English Proficient (LEP). Hispanic students in Georgia on average do not test or graduate at the same level as other groups, at least in part due to language issues. Georgia had lowest high school graduation rate of all 50 states (Manhattan Policy Institute)

On the 2004 CRCT tests: Does not meetMeetsExceeds White53758 Hispanic LEP All students

2004 Pass Rates by Student Groups, Georgia High School Graduation Test English/Lang. ArtsMathSocial Studies Science White Hispanic LEP All Students From

Issues in Higher Education Dropout rate and “young” population of Latinos means limited college enrollment Barriers include finance, climate, and unfamiliarity with system and requirements Undocumented students must pay out-of- state tuition and not eligible for HOPE Some colleges/universities use tuition waivers for high-ability Latino students UGA student body about 1% Latino

Common Barriers in Education Communication/Language Limited/Interrupted Formal Schooling Socioeconomic Issues Immigration Status Cultural Differences and Differing Norms for Education School personnel not always prepared for working with Latinos or English learners But… Latino families and parents DO consistently indicate that they value education highly!

What Do We Know? Latino students are here to stay– They are the FUTURE of Georgia! Bilingual Education IS legal in Georgia and can be extremely effective (though logistical barriers in GA exist) Need to produce bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural graduates, not just English-proficient ones

What Do We Know? Teacher expectations are a very strong factor in student achievement Access to the Core Curriculum for all students (including ELLs) is a fundamental issue (and a civil rights one!) Family engagement is important in education– but schools can be successful even without traditional parent involvement

What Do We Know? Some barriers, such as tuition for undocumented students, will have to be dealt with by policy-makers. Other issues, such as school climate, educational programs, etc. can be handled by teachers and administrators. –A common reason Latino students give for dropping out is that they don’t feel welcome. –Schools and teachers CAN make a difference!

What Are Schools Doing? Parent and Family Involvement –Home visits by faculty –PTA meetings with interpretation; in apartment complexes –PACT and family literacy programs –More communication in home languages –Offering resources to parents (e.g., ESOL with child care; transportation vouchers for conferences, etc.) –College information sessions (e.g., HSF) –Family journaling

What Are Schools Doing? Programs for Student Achievement –“Preview/Review” models –Bilingual support –Newcomer Centers, Programs for LFS, “Academies” for intensive English –Sheltered Instruction –Inclusion rather than pull-out for ESOL –Clubs, activities, extracurricular involvement –After-school programs (biliteracy, tutoring, sports, Scouts) –Literacy campaigns (reading and writing) –Pre-K programs

What Are Schools Doing? Educator Professional Development –Spanish for Teachers –Home Visits –CLASE training –ESOL endorsement for regular teachers –Resource sharing by ESOL teachers –International experiences –“All teachers must be teachers of English”

What Are Schools Doing? School Climate –Awareness and promotion of multilingualism and multiculturalism (e.g., events, clubs) –Orientation videos –Parent/community volunteer programs –Forms and signs in Spanish –More interpretation and translation available; more bilingual staff and parent liaisons –Announcements in Spanish

Some Good News! In Georgia we have opportunity to learn from other states and to move more quickly to achieve success CLASE programs making a difference Proactive leadership (Gwinnett Co., state Dept. of Education, Governor’s Commission) Education of Latinos is an investment in the economic and social future of Georgia

What Resources Exist? CLASEwww.coe.uga.edu/clasewww.coe.uga.edu/clase Hispanic Scholarship Fundwww.hsf.netwww.hsf.net Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) Latin American Association in Atlanta At UGA and Locally: –Oasis Catolico –Garnett Ridge Boys & Girls Club –Catholic Social Services –Fanning Latino Youth Leadership Program –Steps to College –CLACS (Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies) –Latino Advisory Board –Hispanic Student Association –TELL (Teachers for English Language Learners) –Bilingual Media (e.g., Eco Latino, 90.5 FM, cable tv)

What Can You Do? Learn more about the local Latino community through volunteering and attending activities Advocate for Latino, immigrant, and migrant students and families Take ESOL endorsement and implement effective teaching strategies Promote and recognize value of multiculturalism in all activities Become a teacher– and a good one! Forthcoming: course in Latino education (ELAN 5710/7710)

Adelante!

Questions? Elida Perez-Knapp, Community Liaison Specialist, Dr. Bernadette Musetti, Co-Director, Dr. Paul Matthews, Co-Director, Website: