School Factors #1

How can we apply the following school factors at Esperanza that research has shown affect the academic achievement of Hispanic learners?

Factor #1: High quality early childhood programs and full day kindergarten

These two things have a greater effect on Hispanic learners and low income students. Research has also shown that as far as kindergarten it is more important what they do during the day than the length of time.

Factor #2: The school has a strong shared vision and commitment.

Factor #3: Class and School Size -- Optimal classroom size is 18 and optimal school size for elementary an elementary school is 350.

Factor #4: Retention--Retention has too many negatives to even consider it for any grade level. Instead it is better to implement effective interventions.

Factor #5: Segregation and tracking: Although both of these can be detrimental, especially to Hispanic learners, there are still some things to consider. Research has shown that Hispanic learners need close relationships with high-achieving peers AND their own ethnicity. A great read about this is the book Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Daniel Tatum. Although tracking can be detrimental, flexible groupings can be extremely beneficial.

Factor #6: Whole child and learner-centered

Factor #7: Effort and persistence are rewarded-- Both the work of Dr. Glasser and the work of Dr. Carol Dweck about mind-set support this.

Hispanics Always Seem to Pay a Heavier Price

Yesterday the Pew Hispanic Center published a disturbing report: Hispanic Household Wealth Fell by 66% from 2005 to 2009. This statistic is even more shocking when compared with Blacks whose wealth fell 53% and with Whites whose fell only 16%.

For some reason Hispanics seem to pay a heavy price (if not the heaviest price) in a variety of arenas whether we are talking about dropout rates, scores on tests, teenage pregnancy, obesity, gang affiliation, etc. It is probably for this reason that research has shown that factors that effect education more often than not have a higher influence on Hispanics and other minority students. These factors include such things as having not only a qualified teacher but a quality teacher (especially three years in a row), class and school size, attendance in a quality preK program, community involvement, etc.

When we say that Esperanza is being founded to target Hispanics and/or low income students it is not to say that other students aren't welcome. We just know that if we provide the best learning environment possible for our Hispanic students all students will benefit.

In 1996 John Morefield said something that I wholeheartedly support, “I have come to believe that a school designed for children of color, works for white children. The reverse, however, is not true. Consequently, if we design our schools to work for children of color they will work for all children.”


Resource:
http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=145