Obama Visits School Where Large Number of Students Are ELLs

Education Week

November 06, 2009

In her Learning the Language blog, Mary Ann Zehr writes, "Yesterday, President Obama visited a charter school in Madison, Wis., where 39 percent of students are English-language learners…President Obama did mention English-language learners at one point, saying that a commitment to education means 'boosting the numbers of quality teachers who can help our special education and English-language learners meet high standards — as you've done here at Wright.' But that still doesn't tell us much."

Register for free access to three Education Week articles picked by the editors each day. Other articles are available through paid subscription. Registration is not required to view blogs unless readers wish to comment.

Bilingual Teacher Wins Big In NYC City Council Race

The Uptowner (NY)

November 06, 2009

On Tuesday, Ydanis Rodriguez decisively won the 10th District seat on New York's City Council. One of 11 children born to farm workers in the Dominican Republic, Ydanis Rodriguez immigrated to Washington Heights at 18. He worked as a taxi driver while earning a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in bilingual education. Rodriguez was a founding teacher of Gregorio Luperon High School, which specializes in the education of new immigrant children and where he taught for 14 years. During a recent interview at his campaign office, Rodriguez appeared ready to make the transition from educator to legislator.

A Comedian with a Serious Delivery

The Washington Post

November 06, 2009

Los Angeles comedian Ernie G has a message for first-generation college-bound students in Washington: college and ghetto can coexist. Ernie G is the spokesman for the Washington-based Hispanic College Fund. He's also a comedian who is moving from the nightclub circuit to the high school circuit so he can encourage the country's fastest-growing group of high school students to stay in school and go to college.

Obama Tells Wisconsin: "It's Time to Make Education America's National Mission"

ABC News

November 05, 2009

Speaking to about 500 students, teachers, and officials in a small gymnasium at James C. Wright Middle School, President Obama promoted the administration's efforts to focus on education. The White House chose Wright School, which is one of two public charter schools in Madison, because of its diverse student body and innovative education practices, aides said. Eighty-six percent of the school's 249 students are considered low-income, 22% have disabilities, and 39% are English language learners, according to the White House.

Hispanic Students Face Language Barrier Challenges

Maryland Gazette

November 05, 2009

Five Hispanic students, all-foreign born, sat around a table inside Old Mill High School recently, sharing stories of what it was like during their first few days in school. When Kenia Zavala arrived from El Salvador recently she immediately looked for someone who could speak Spanish.

Dropout Study May Bring Changes

San Antonio Express-News

November 05, 2009

The dropout rate used by Texas to measure school performance underestimates the true magnitude of the dropout problem, Education Commissioner Jim Nelson said in response to a study that shows the number of dropouts at Holmes High School far exceeds the most recent state tally.

Racial Achievement Gap Still Plagues Schools

NPR

November 04, 2009

American schools have struggled for decades to close what's called the 'minority achievement gap' — the lower average test scores, grades and college attendance rates among black and Latino students. Typically, schools place children who are falling behind in remedial classes, to help them catch up. But some schools are finding that grouping students by ability, also known as tracking or leveling, causes more problems than it solves.

Grant to Help Latino Youth Apply to College

The Providence Journal

November 04, 2009

The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority has received a $75,000 grant to provide information to Latino students to make it easier for them to attend college. The grant, awarded by the Rhode Island Foundation, will be used to help Latino families understand issues such as financial aid, college planning and selection, financial literacy, SAT preparation, and scholarship searches.

High School Spanish Class Connects with ESL Students

The Index-Journal (SC)

November 04, 2009

Greenwood High School's Spanish students are bringing a new language and culture to Pinecrest Elementary School. Students in Jennifer Argo's Spanish 3 class are partnering with classes of first- and second-graders, which include both native English speakers and English language learners. Second-grade teacher Courtney Ramey said that her ESL students have become excited and expressive during the lessons with the high school partners.

Tell Me More: Taking The Pulse Of Obama's Latino Support

NPR

November 03, 2009

Going into Election Day last year pundits questioned whether then-candidate Barack Obama would appeal to Latino voters. In the end, he received 70 percent of the Latino vote, but where does that support lie today? Host Michel Martin talks with Linda Chavez, chair of the Center for Equal Opportunity, and Fernand Amandi, executive vice president of Bendixen and Associates, a public opinion research firm that specializes in multi-cultural and multi-lingual polls.

WIDA Tally: New Mexico Joins Consortium

Education Week

November 03, 2009

In her Learning the Language blog, Mary Ann Zehr writes, "New Mexico has joined 19 states and the District of Columbia in adopting the most popular English-language-proficiency test in the nation, which is developed by the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment Consortium, or WIDA."

Register for free access to three Education Week articles picked by the editors each day. Other articles are available through paid subscription. Registration is not required to view blogs unless readers wish to comment.

Suburban Organizations Facing a Shortage of Bilingual Volunteers

Daily Herald (IL)

November 03, 2009

Organizations in Chicago's suburbs need more people like Veronica Patino — willing to volunteer, but most importantly, able to speak Spanish. Civic groups are struggling to communicate with increasing numbers of non-English speakers in need of social services such as food and shelter and language classes, as well as those who need a helping hand to care for a sick child or relative.

Luring More Hispanics into 'STEM' Studies, Careers

Education Week

November 02, 2009

Many school districts around the country have seen an influx of Hispanic students, who also occupy a growing portion of the workforce in their communities. How can educators and policymakers encourage those students to pursue a college education, and a career in science, technology, engineering, and math (the so-called 'STEM' occupations), specifically? Last week, a forum hosted by the Hispanic College Fund on Capitol Hill explored that topic.

Register for free access to three Education Week articles picked by the editors each day. Other articles are available through paid subscription. Registration is not required to view blogs unless readers wish to comment.

Education Secretary Turns His Focus to Latinos

NPR

October 30, 2009

Both Republicans and Democrats agree that improving U.S. education should be a top priority. Tuesday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan met with Latino advocacy groups and Spanish language news organizations to talk about why education is also a civil rights issue. Host Michel Martin speaks with NPR's Claudio Sanchez, who attended the meeting, for an update.

Adults Find Literacy Help Through Local Programs

Longview News-Journal (TX)

October 30, 2009

Like many students, Christina Paz is hoping her classes at Kilgore College-Longview will lead to better job opportunities. But Paz isn't taking college-level courses. The 26-year-old mother of three is enrolled in the college's Adult Basic Education program to improve her literacy and prepare to take the test for a General Equivalency Diploma.

Crash-Course in Halloween for Newcomers

The Toronto Star (Canada)

October 30, 2009

Aryna Pilkiw isn't afraid to admit it. Last Oct. 31 was her first Halloween, and she was a little bit frightened. She watched as zombies, ghosts, and coffins appeared on Toronto's front lawns. She wondered, "How could people put such awful things in front of their houses?" Ukrainian-born Pilkiw, 25, is one of many newcomers to Canada who had never celebrated Halloween.

Study: English-Learning Too Slow in L.A. Schools

Education Week

October 29, 2009

More than a quarter of English learners don't make it into mainstream classes by the eighth grade in Los Angeles and most of those who don't were born in the United States, according to a study released Wednesday. The study by Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at the University of Southern California showed 29 percent of English learners in the Los Angeles Unified School District were still in these classes in the eighth grade. More than half of these students were born in the United States and were in classes for English learners for more than eight years.

Register for free access to three Education Week articles picked by the editors each day. Other articles are available through paid subscription. Registration is not required to view blogs unless readers wish to comment.

Immigrant Children Lost in Education Reform

New American Media

October 29, 2009

Ruby Takanishi, president and chief executive officer of Foundation for Child Development, recently co-edited a new book titled Immigration, Diversity and Education, with Elena L. Grigorenko. She spoke with New America Media about the current challenges facing immigrant children in the United States and the reforms needed to support their future health, wellbeing, and academic success.

Jonathan Kozol: Teachers Are My Heroes

The Anchor (RI)

October 29, 2009

Education activist and writer Jonathan Kozol offered some staggering statistics to his Rhode Island College audience last Thursday afternoon. Kozol took the podium and asked the audience, "How many teachers or aspiring teachers are here?" More than half of the auditorium raised their hands. "I feel much safer," Kozol smiled. "Teachers are my heroes."

Identifying Gifted ELLs

Education Week

October 28, 2009

In her Learning the Language blog, Mary Ann Zehr writes, "The U.S. Department of Education has given a $1.6 million grant to the University of South Florida's college of education to research how to identify English-language learners and students from low socioeconomic levels who are gifted, according to the Tampa Tribune. The grant will fund a program called Recognizing Extraordinary Accomplishments of Children."

Register for free access to three Education Week articles picked by the editors each day. Other articles are available through paid subscription. Registration is not required to view blogs unless readers wish to comment.