Excelencia in Education reports the following:
1. California ranks 49th out of 50 states in percentage of Latinos high school seniors enrolled in four-year colleges.
2. 2003-04 60% of Asian youth were in college compared to 43% of whites, 32% of African Americans and 22% of Latino.
3. 2005 just 24% of Latino women were enrolled in a public college.
4. 2006 just 17% of Lation men were enrolled.
5. 2005 - Latinos were 29% of community college enrollments, 8% of California State enrollments and 3% of University of California enrollments.
6. The percentage, 8-10%, of Latinos going to college has not changed in 25 years.
California for all its acceptance to diversity and equal opportunity and holistic candle lighting, is not being fair to the Latino population.
Why is that?
What do you think?
As a teacher of thousands of students (Hispanic as well as...non-Hispanic students),over the past 18 years (during which time, I've taught a variety of subjects...in a variety of different school-sites,for The Los Angeles Unified School District),I am (often) deeply disturbed by the seemingly high numbers of parents (Hispanic as well as non-Hispanic) and students,who fail to take K-12 education seriously!!Indeed,it is mind-boggling (to me,as a teacher) just how many kids (and their respective parents),fail to appreciate,the importance of insisting that ALL school-age children, develope a serious work-ethic,as it relates to a child's ability (& willingness) to "work hard"(both inside & outside of all educational-settings/classrooms (ie.insisting that all homework assignments be completed (by the student to whom they were assigned)...completely and THEN...turned-in "on-time.").Many of these "slacker-students"(and...their respective parents?)in fact, are often highly-intelligent,and...they often indicate, a great deal of potential for future successs,if ONLY... they would willingly expend "a lot more consistent-effort,"in their attempts to master subjects that they will(absolutely)need,in order to be successful, later on in life (ie.English language communication skills,math skills,etc.).Instead of worrying about "the latest trends" in:fashion, gansta-rap ,and "You Tube,"these students definitely need to become more concerned about developing skills that they will need, in order to: ie...write an effective "cover-letter,"for a prospective (higher paying)employer;perform well during a job-interview (with a prospective employer who HAS mastered the English language);solve basic Algebraic equations (on a college-level entrance-exam);and posess enough basic (educated) knowledge,about the "world around them,"so that these same students WILL be able to make educated and informed life/business choices. I also believe that this topic is fact...the "white-elephant in the room,"that no politician (anywhere) has the courage to seriously-address,whenever the topic of "reforming education" arises. Indeed,it's much easier to blame:teachers,principals & school districts(for a child's failure in school).Indeed...it takes "a lot of hard work,"in order for anyone to become educated.Those students who "take up their own cause,"are the students who will be "leading our society,"both now and...in the future.Those students (and parents) who fail to "get with the program,"no doubt (in all probability)may indeed "end up" as..."the future car-jackers of our communities!!!" As a society,we ALL need to get serious(and honestly address)all of this "stuff." After all,most parents actually DO want their kids to go to Yale (instead of jail)!!
Posted by: Anonymous | August 25, 2008 7:27 PM | Permalink to Comment