Thread: Mexican agencies add literacy sites

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 73964.html

Sept. 9, 2006, 1:40AM
Mexican agencies add literacy sites
Program aims to boost parents' education as a way to help keep their children in school


By JENNIFER RADCLIFFE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

The Mexican Consulate and the Mexican Institute of Greater Houston announced a partnership Friday to offer adult literacy and computer classes at seven new community sites, including five campuses in the Houston Independent School District.

The program, called Sigamos Aprendiendo, or We'll Keep Learning, is designed to encourage parents to continue their education.

Founders say they hope the program will help parents get more involved in their children's schooling and ultimately help reduce the high school dropout rate.

"It goes without saying that if you have parents who are better educated then you will have children who are far more successful in school," said Carlos Gonzalez Magallon, consul general of Mexico.

"We know that the children of these people are actually American citizens. They are going to be the future of Houston, of the United States."

The Mexican government is covering most of the program's costs.

The free classes will begin Monday at Neff Elementary, Golfcrest Elementary, Crockett Elementary, Furr High and Sam Houston High in Houston, as well as Treasure Forest Elementary in Spring Branch and Cleveland Ripley community center in Pasadena. About 350 people already are registered; there may be space for about 100 more, officials said.

A waiting list has been created at some of the sites for a second semester of classes, which will start in mid-January.

Among the offerings are elementary and secondary school classes for adult immigrants.

"Many of these people need to improve their schooling levels in order to help their kids stay in school and get into a community college," said Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, executive director of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad. "It's a very difficult population to reach. Many of them are undocumented and, obviously, we don't ask for the migratory status, but they are hesitant to reach out for help. ... The consulate provides a neutral space."

For more information about the program, call 713-778-6117.

jennifer.radcliffe@chron.com

The Mexican government is covering most of the program's costs.

Note: the MOST. Oh, why would the Mexican gov't be paying for schooling here, instead of in MEXICO? Could it possibly be that better educated Mexicans could take even better jobs away from Americans and thus send even more money back to Mexico?

Many of them are undocumented and, obviously, we don't ask for the migratory status, but they are hesitant to reach out for help. ... The consulate provides a neutral space."

For "undocumented", read "illegal alien".

"It goes without saying that if you have parents who are better educated then you will have children who are far more successful in school," said Carlos Gonzalez Magallon, consul general of Mexico.

"We know that the children of these people are actually American citizens. They are going to be the future of Houston, of the United States."

The Mexican government is covering most of the program's costs.

Is this all part of the takeover Pat Buchanan has been telling us about? This is pathetic, now we're allowing the Mexican government to come into our country to educate anchor babies and the children of illegal immigrants. Yes, I'm sure some of these kids crossed the border illegally with their parents. Please, someone wake me up and tell me I'm just having a very bad nightmare!

The Mexican government has absolutely no business getting involved in our education system! Every time I turn around, Mexico's government is getting involved in another aspect of our society. Hey, someone has to be authorizing all of this. Is Houston doing this on their own or was it something approved by the US Department of Education? One things for certain, our Congress could stop it if they wanted to.

Originally Posted by Jennifer Radcliffe, Houston Chronicle

...free classes will begin Monday at Neff Elementary, Golfcrest Elementary, Crockett Elementary, Furr High and Sam Houston High in Houston, as well as Treasure Forest Elementary in Spring Branch and Cleveland Ripley community center in Pasadena. About 350 people already are registered; there may be space for about 100 more...

Since this is extra-curricular and not associated with state-mandated public education, I'd opine these folks should rent the space from Houston taxpayers and reimburse them for utilities and maintenance. Every other private organization pays them -- so why not the Mexicans? I'm familiar with Houston and the reason is quite transparent. Mexicans are special there and city administration cares not one whit for the American taxpayer and less about the tax money they pay. I'd like to see a taxpayer revolt there until they get their act together.