Michigan Commission on Spanish-Speaking Affairs Hosts 2nd Annual Statewide Education Conference to Address Challenges Facing Hispanic Students and Improving Access to Postsecondary Education
Features Mr. Jaime Escalante Whose Life Story Was Basis of "Stand and Deliver" Film
October 10, 2008 More than 100 educators, community leaders and K-16 decision makers attended the Michigan Commission on Spanish-Speaking Affairs (COSSA) Second Annual Statewide Education Conference held today at Saginaw Valley State University to address the challenges facing Hispanic students and developing solutions that will improve access to postsecondary education.
"Postsecondary Education for All - Transition to Success!" is the theme of the conference sponsored by COSSA, in partnership with Saginaw Valley State University. The conference was hosted by COSSA's Education Committee which consists of Committee Chairperson and Commissioner Arminda Garcia, of Flint, Commissioner Leonard Savala of Michigan State University, and Commissioner Debra Ehrmann of Pontiac in addition to numerous committee members from school districts throughout the state.
The education summit coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated during September 1 through October 15 in recognition of the rich cultural heritage and achievements of Hispanics.
"It was fitting to culminate Hispanic Heritage Month with an Educational Summit. Our Hispanic community, while adding great richness to our state and nation, needs support in increasing academic achievement for our children." said COSSA Chairperson José Reyna of Grand Rapids. "This summit was an assembly of educators and Hispanic leaders to engage in dialogue on the educational attainment challenges and disparities facing Hispanic students in Michigan. COSSA's strategic goals include increasing Hispanic college student enrollment, retention, graduation rates. The summit provided a forum at which we were able to share best practices and develop next steps to help achieve these goals."
Keynote speaker was Mr. Jaime Escalante, Teacher, Professor and Author. Escalante, who was born in Bolivia, was hired as a basic mathematics teacher in 1974 at Garfield High School, a troubled inner-city school in East Los Angeles. His spectacular success teaching advanced mathematics to gang members and other students who had been considered "unteachable" attracted national attention. When his story was told in the acclaimed film "Stand and Deliver" (1988), Escalante became a national hero.
Mr. Escalante's many teaching awards include the Presidential Medal for Excellence in Education, the Andres Bello Prize from the Organization of American States and the Free Spirit Award from the Freedom Forum, a foundation affiliated with USA Today and dedicated to the preservation of the First Amendment. He was also inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 1999.
Other speakers included Dr. Donald Bachand, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Saginaw Valley State University; and Mr. David Gamez, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Saginaw Valley State University.
The following top 10 educational challenges for Hispanic students identified by the Commission on Spanish- Speaking Affairs (COSSA), Statewide Ad Hoc Committee were addressed at the Summit including:
Align rigorous and articulated curriculum, completely supported by stakeholders, with state educational requirements. Establish Educational Leader accountability for the K-16 subgroup.
Improve equal access to educational alternatives.
Develop diversity awareness for leaders and staff.
Recruit and retain highly qualified bilingual educational professionals.
Emphasize the importance of an educational pipeline for students from pre-school through higher education.
Provide strategies that alleviate the economic challenges affecting the education of K-16 students.
Partner with Spanish-speaking parents to improve educational awareness.
Address social/peer pressures for students.
Recruit and retain Spanish-speaking students in postsecondary education.
Develop partnerships with the private sector to provide opportunities for mentoring and internships.
The Commission on Spanish-Speaking Affairs was created in 1975 to serve Michigan's growing Hispanic/Latino population which is today the second-largest and fastest-growing minority group in Michigan. The Commission is comprised of 15 individuals appointed by the Governor to develop policies and plans to serve the needs of Michigan's Hispanic/Latino population.
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