Thread: Latino summit puts focus on success, lays down challenge NE

Latino summit puts focus on success, lays down challenge
Tuesday, Oct 07, 2008 - 11:38:02 am CDT
The Associated Press

LA VISTA -- Hispanic students in Nebraska have made strides academically in recent years and the challenge comes in continuing to raise the bar for all students, educators said Monday.

More than 700 educators, students and parents from across the state gathered for the Hispanic/Latino Education Summit on Monday. The daylong conference included more than two dozen information sessions focusing on everything from college preparation to services for migrant students in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Education and the state Mexican-American Commission organized the summit, which drew the largest crowd in its five-year existence.

Expectations need to be raised for all students, particularly students who historically have had difficulty getting through high school and onto college, said Mary Ann Losh with the state Department of Education.

“As adults, we need to raise our expectations and understand that with mentors and support systems we can really increase the numbers of students going on to post-secondary opportunities,â€

Neb. summit showcases success, lays out challenge

Eds: INSERTS writing test score data.

AP Photos AH101, AH103

By JEAN ORTIZ

Associated Press Writer

LA VISTA, Neb. (AP) -- Hispanic students in Nebraska have made strides academically in recent years and the challenge comes in continuing to raise the bar for all students, educators said Monday.

More than 700 educators, students and parents from across the state gathered for the Hispanic/Latino Education Summit on Monday. The daylong conference included more than two dozen information sessions focusing on everything from college preparation to services for migrant students in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Education and the state Mexican-American Commission organized the summit, which drew the largest crowd in its five-year existence.

Expectations need to be raised for all students, particularly students who historically have had difficulty getting through high school and onto college, said Mary Ann Losh with the state Department of Education.

"As adults, we need to raise our expectations and understand that with mentors and support systems we can really increase the numbers of students going on to post-secondary opportunities," said Losh, who serves as administrator for equity and instructional strategies.

Growing Hispanic populations have pushed up enrollment of Hispanic students statewide, with areas like Lexington, Grand Island, South Sioux City and Crete reflecting much of that growth.

In 1991, about 8,000 Hispanic students filled classrooms across the state. In 2006 -- the most current data available -- the figure topped 35,000 which is about 12 percent of total student enrollment, according to the state Department of Education.

Hispanic students have shown significant gains since the 2003-04 school year in meeting or exceeding statewide writing standards, according to data released in August. Losh said 2003-04 was the first school year the state began splitting out writing test results by race/ethnicity.

About 88 percent of the state's Hispanic fourth-, eighth- and 11th-graders tested proficient or better for the 2007-08 school year. That performance still falls about three percentage points below the overall state performance. Eleventh-graders showed the smallest gain since 2003, but even that group saw a 13 percentage-point gain.

Educators weren't the only ones laying out needs Monday. Students who've gone through the system and onto college emphasized the need for support services, whether guidance counselors or simply having more Hispanic teachers in the classroom.

"If those students can see themselves reflected (in) the teachers they will have a greater chance of really following their dreams," said Luis Sotelo, a 2007 graduate of Lexington High School now attending Northwestern University in Illinois.

In 2006-07 the state had 245 Hispanic teachers, or 1 percent of teachers statewide. The figure is up 46 from 2003-04.

Besides a continued focus on preparation for college, educators also stressed the need for increased parental involvement.

Omaha Public Schools, which have more than 6,000 English Language Learner students, has found success in breaking down language barriers with parents. The district uses interpreters at parent-teacher conferences and document translation services, said Susan Mayberger, who directs the district's migrant education and English as a Second Language programs.

Between 2002 and 2006, the district also has cut its dropout rate of Hispanic students by more than four percentage points to 5.37 percent. That includes seventh through 12th graders.

Mayberger sees several needs, but says for students to be successful, the most basic thing a district can do is make them and their families feel welcome.

"That's what starts the attitudes toward education and starts the beginning of creating that dream of finishing high school and going on to college," she said.

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On the Net:

Nebraska Department of Education, http://www.nde.state.ne.us

http://www.hdnews.net/wirestories/k1112 ... 10-06-0735