Journalist Daniel Connolly spent a year embedded at a Memphis
high school to learn first-hand about the educational experiences
of Hispanic immigrants’ children. Connolly’s new
book focuses on star student Isaias Ramos, “the hope of
Kingsbury High.” The author explores how Isaias, born in the
U.S., seeks to overcome obstacles to his plans for
college. How did Connolly (The Memphis Commercial Appeal)
gain such extraordinary access to the students, educators, and
families of this school community? What does Isaias’ journey tell
us about the hopes and aspirations of Hispanic immigrant
families? And how are real world realities pressuring public
schools to redefine expectations for student success?
Undocumented immigrants in Georgia who came to the U.S. as
children and have received temporary protection from deportation
under the Obama administration will now be able to pay in-state
tuition at the state’s colleges and universities, a judge
ruled in the years-long court case Tuesday.
Alejandra Ceja has been the
executive director of the White House Initiative on
Educational Excellence for Hispanics since 2013 — a position
she’ll give up at noon on Jan. 19, the day before the
presidential inauguration. I recently sat down with her at the
U.S. Department of Education to talk about the state of Latino
education, the Initiative’s first 25 years, and what we can
expect from the Initiative under the
next administration.
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for
length.
More students than ever are seeking a future at one of the
University of California System’s nine campuses — among them a
record-breaking number of Latino applicants.
Latinos made up the largest share of applicants for the
2017 fall semester by
far. According to figures released by the university system,
41,575 Latino applicants were California residents.
News stories often state that black and Latino males have
lower test scores and graduation rates than their white and Asian
peers, that they’re more likely to be disciplined in school
and be incarcerated. UCLA professor Tyrone
Howard decided to produce a report that offers a
different perspective.
The ability to speak more than one language can enhance brain
function, academic performance and business acumen, linguistic
experts said at a U.S. House of Representatives briefing Tuesday,
making the case for a greater emphasis on multilingual education
in American schools.
The nation’s colleges and universities will soon face a
demographic reckoning:
A new report projects that the total number of high school
graduates will decline in the next two decades, while the
percentage of lower-income and nonwhite students will increase.
Calling racial segregation a violation
of human rights, two New York City councilors proposed a bill
last week that seeks to combat the widespread
segregation in the city’s public school system.
Two state universities in Georgia
will now admit undocumented immigrants to their campuses,
despite legal restrictions that have barred these students from
the state’s most selective public universities since 2010.
More low-income Hispanic families are enrolling their children in
early childhood care and education services, narrowing
long-standing racial gaps in participation of these programs, new
research shows.
Children of undocumented immigrants represent a growing share of
U.S. students in kindergarten through 12th grade, a Pew Research
Center
analysis of American Community Survey data shows.
‘The Book of Isaias’: A Memphis DREAMer’s Uncertain Path
EWA Radio: Episode 106
Journalist Daniel Connolly spent a year embedded at a Memphis high school to learn first-hand about the educational experiences of Hispanic immigrants’ children. Connolly’s new book focuses on star student Isaias Ramos, “the hope of Kingsbury High.” The author explores how Isaias, born in the U.S., seeks to overcome obstacles to his plans for college. How did Connolly (The Memphis Commercial Appeal) gain such extraordinary access to the students, educators, and families of this school community? What does Isaias’ journey tell us about the hopes and aspirations of Hispanic immigrant families? And how are real world realities pressuring public schools to redefine expectations for student success?
Obama’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ Initiative Will Continue Under New Name
President Obama has renamed the My Brother’s Keeper initiative he created to close the opportunity gaps faced by black and Latino males, hoping the new moniker will more accurately reflect its mission and increase the chances of its longevity.
Georgia Judge: DACA Students Can Pay In-State Tuition Rate
Undocumented immigrants in Georgia who came to the U.S. as children and have received temporary protection from deportation under the Obama administration will now be able to pay in-state tuition at the state’s colleges and universities, a judge ruled in the years-long court case Tuesday.
What’s Next for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics?
A Q&A With Outgoing Executive Director Alejandra Ceja
Alejandra Ceja has been the executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics since 2013 — a position she’ll give up at noon on Jan. 19, the day before the presidential inauguration. I recently sat down with her at the U.S. Department of Education to talk about the state of Latino education, the Initiative’s first 25 years, and what we can expect from the Initiative under the next administration.
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length.
Latinos Highest Share of University of California’s Record-Breaking Number of Applicants
More students than ever are seeking a future at one of the University of California System’s nine campuses — among them a record-breaking number of Latino applicants.
Latinos made up the largest share of applicants for the 2017 fall semester by far. According to figures released by the university system, 41,575 Latino applicants were California residents.
UCLA Study Offers ‘Counter Narrative’ on Black, Latino Male Achievement
News stories often state that black and Latino males have lower test scores and graduation rates than their white and Asian peers, that they’re more likely to be disciplined in school and be incarcerated. UCLA professor Tyrone Howard decided to produce a report that offers a different perspective.
Linguistic Experts Point to Benefits of Teaching Children Multiple Languages
The ability to speak more than one language can enhance brain function, academic performance and business acumen, linguistic experts said at a U.S. House of Representatives briefing Tuesday, making the case for a greater emphasis on multilingual education in American schools.
Colleges Face a New Reality, as The Number of High School Graduates Will Decline
An increase in low-income and minority-group students will challenge colleges to serve them better
The nation’s colleges and universities will soon face a demographic reckoning: A new report projects that the total number of high school graduates will decline in the next two decades, while the percentage of lower-income and nonwhite students will increase.
New York City Council Takes on School Segregation
Calling racial segregation a violation of human rights, two New York City councilors proposed a bill last week that seeks to combat the widespread segregation in the city’s public school system.
States Weigh Changes to College Admission, Tuition for Undocumented Students
Two state universities in Georgia will now admit undocumented immigrants to their campuses, despite legal restrictions that have barred these students from the state’s most selective public universities since 2010.
More Low-Income Hispanic Kids Are Getting Early Start to Education
More low-income Hispanic families are enrolling their children in early childhood care and education services, narrowing long-standing racial gaps in participation of these programs, new research shows.
In K-12, Children of Undocumented Immigrants Are a Growing Share of Students
Children of undocumented immigrants represent a growing share of U.S. students in kindergarten through 12th grade, a Pew Research Center analysis of American Community Survey data shows.