HOW TO GET MORE LATINO STUDENTS INTO COLLEGE:
Domingo Ivan Casañas
February 04, 2006
Many Latino students have a problem when it comes to continuing education. Mainly because many uneducated Latino parents are happy to see the end of high school for their children so that their child can now take the responsibility of getting a job and helping the family. For some of you that are reading this, you might think that this cannot be happening especially in 2006. Unfortunately, it is still happening.
However, there is a program that was started by Gloria Godchaux at Antioch High School in California named (P.A.S.S.) Parent Assisting Student Success. This program allows parents and students to meet on a Saturday morning where community mentors, speakers, motivators, arm forces, college officials take turn to motivate, educate and give guidance and scholarship information to the students and parents that participate.
Students and parents are allowed to choose two workshops of their choice. For coming out on a Saturday the student is rewarded with a PASS coupon after they participate in two one hour workshops. This PASS coupon can be used when you fail to bring your homework to class on the due date. The PASS coupon will allow the student to bring in the homework late without penalty. This program has been very successful and will help educate both the students and the parents to the opportunities that are out there for them after High School as well as allowing the community to join in with their experienced speakers and success stories from previous graduates of that school.
Another program that has been doing well for the Latino students in California is the PUENTE program. Puente means Bridge. The bridge is being built by motivating the Latino students, African Americans and poor kids to keep going past High School with the help of counselors whose duties are to educate, motivate and guide the children to the next level. The program consists of a counselor who tracks students’ grades, ensures they are taking the necessary classes and encourage parent participation; an instructor who teaches the group English during their freshman and sophomore years, and mentors, professionals from the community who offer students encouragement, guidance or just a willing ear.
Students in the Puente program will by the time they graduate visited at least eight colleges and universities throughout the State. The Puente program is helping Latino students get the information they need about college entrance requirements, and providing academic support and the English language that is needed to attend college.
Just six years ago the Latinos accounted for 43% of all high school dropouts nationally, according to the National Council of La Raza, a Latino advocacy group. The bridge to higher education that Puente provides is done via firing up the student about reading, which will in turn help strengthen writing skills.
As a proud citizen of this great country I urge you to start this type of programs in your school district that has a high population of Latino students. I will also encourage you to start your own program that will help empower and encourage underachieving students and/or students lacking parental support in academics to develop and work to their highest potential. Bring on community Latino leaders as mentors. An increase knowledge, understanding, awareness and communication are needed to assure academic success. By getting involved with our students our community will be a better place to live in. So get started! No need for me to hold your hand or explain to you what to do. This article covers the concepts that are out there so GET BUSY!
By: Domingo Ivan Casañas
However, there is a program that was started by Gloria Godchaux at Antioch High School in California named (P.A.S.S.) Parent Assisting Student Success. This program allows parents and students to meet on a Saturday morning where community mentors, speakers, motivators, arm forces, college officials take turn to motivate, educate and give guidance and scholarship information to the students and parents that participate.
Students and parents are allowed to choose two workshops of their choice. For coming out on a Saturday the student is rewarded with a PASS coupon after they participate in two one hour workshops. This PASS coupon can be used when you fail to bring your homework to class on the due date. The PASS coupon will allow the student to bring in the homework late without penalty. This program has been very successful and will help educate both the students and the parents to the opportunities that are out there for them after High School as well as allowing the community to join in with their experienced speakers and success stories from previous graduates of that school.
Another program that has been doing well for the Latino students in California is the PUENTE program. Puente means Bridge. The bridge is being built by motivating the Latino students, African Americans and poor kids to keep going past High School with the help of counselors whose duties are to educate, motivate and guide the children to the next level. The program consists of a counselor who tracks students’ grades, ensures they are taking the necessary classes and encourage parent participation; an instructor who teaches the group English during their freshman and sophomore years, and mentors, professionals from the community who offer students encouragement, guidance or just a willing ear.
Students in the Puente program will by the time they graduate visited at least eight colleges and universities throughout the State. The Puente program is helping Latino students get the information they need about college entrance requirements, and providing academic support and the English language that is needed to attend college.
Just six years ago the Latinos accounted for 43% of all high school dropouts nationally, according to the National Council of La Raza, a Latino advocacy group. The bridge to higher education that Puente provides is done via firing up the student about reading, which will in turn help strengthen writing skills.
As a proud citizen of this great country I urge you to start this type of programs in your school district that has a high population of Latino students. I will also encourage you to start your own program that will help empower and encourage underachieving students and/or students lacking parental support in academics to develop and work to their highest potential. Bring on community Latino leaders as mentors. An increase knowledge, understanding, awareness and communication are needed to assure academic success. By getting involved with our students our community will be a better place to live in. So get started! No need for me to hold your hand or explain to you what to do. This article covers the concepts that are out there so GET BUSY!
By: Domingo Ivan Casañas
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