Latinos and Language Development A Need for Improvement in the American Education System

What is Literacy? Language and literacy are interactive processes, integrating individual learners’ cognitive and linguistic abilities with the need to communicate meaningfully with others in the social environment (Pérez 20).

Where is Literacy Important? Diverse Communities Daily Interactions Careers Starts in the schools

Some Statistics Rise of Latino population: 12.7% in 1993-1994 to 19.8% in 2005-2006 80% of the English language learner population 4th grade: 47% are behind in reading when compared to white classmates

What Did I Want to Learn? Why do Latinos have lower literacy rates than their non-Latino classmates? What factors are present in a public school setting that affect Latino student literacy? What can specifically be done to increase literacy rates?

Why is Literacy an issue with Latinos? Different cultural context NOT their fault!

What is the Problem? Subtractive Schooling Proposition 227 and downplay of bilingual education Home language vs. school language Poor communication Challenge for teachers: Full spectrum of Spanish- and English-language skills Effects of Prop. 227: 10,894 to 5,670 Fix vs. heal

Becoming Aware... ALWAYS! Emerged as a hot topic when certain laws were being passed When I first became aware: With Latinos: classroom observation in Waukegan, IL ED 299 Classroom discussions: ESL programs, Latino education Mentoring in St. Charles

The Interview: Cindy Duley Assistant of the Education Department at University of Wisconsin- Lacrosse Some of her experiences with education: elementary teacher certified reading specialist in early literacy ELL instructor at WSU Variety of different levels, abilities, and backgrounds

Questions from the Interview How do issues of superiority and inferiority affect the relationship between Hispanic and non-Hispanic students? Human connection Differences Fear and insecurity

Questions Continued... How has the rising Latino population specifically affected public schools, and what is needed to make the education process more enjoyable and worthwhile for these students? Wisconsin schools “culturally responsive” “build on each individual's experience” “educating the families and sharing our expectations” “safe and positive learning environment”

Other Questions I Would Have Liked to Ask: Experience in schools in Mexico: Different structure? Acceptance of peers and differences? Expansion on programs she mentioned, including ESL or ELL classrooms, Responsive Curriculum, and sheltered immersion

...So What? Importance of Native Language It is very important for students to stay efficient in their native language when learning a second language. Why is this so? “The transfer is easier between languages when a child has a strong foundation to build on. Learning to read in the first language is also the preference when possible because of the background knowledge that has already been developed” (Duley).

So What? FOCUS on needs of children Benefits of bilingual system Dual-language programs Sheltered English Teacher Quality and funds of knowledge Parent involvement

The Writing Process Struggles Too much information! Organization How to Incorporate the interview What Came Easily Passionate words and thoughts Describing the problem Reaffirming Information Surprising Information

An Ending Thought... Cindy Duley’s personal story.... What really matters