Resolution
 

Latino Teachers

WHEREAS, there is a crisis in Education for Latinos, that has resulted in a staggering 27.3% of the Latino population holding less than a ninth grade education. Additionally, there is an achievement gap, and scores by Latino school children trail most others; and

WHEREAS, the growth of the Latino population in America’s heartland and areas considered not traditionally Hispanic has put the Latino student population at higher percentages than the available Latino teachers. Nationally, 16% of the students are Latino, while only 5% of the teachers are Latino. And in emergent areas like Rogers, Arkansas they have 31% Latino students compared to less than 1% Latino teachers.

WHEREAS, the National Education Association (NEA) in its recent report, “Assessment of Diversity in America’s Teaching Force,” examined the relationships among educational opportunity, educational achievement, teacher diversity and teacher quality. The NEA and it collaborative partners found that diverse teacher force can be a resource for students and other teachers to help understand students with different backgrounds. It also found that increasing the percentage of teachers of color is directly connected to closing achievement gaps; and

WHEREAS, School districts have the desire to increase their Latino teaching populations but are limited by resources, community support, and a lack of qualified candidates in their areas. Therefore, school districts need a comprehensive plan and support from the Latino leadership to have a positive effect on increasing the Latino teachers in their districts; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The League of United Latin American Citizens will take these steps to help increase the Latino teachers in those school districts with an emergent Latino student population:

I. Inform those school districts that Latino teachers in the public schools would bring about the following benefits:
1) Positive role models for Latino children,
2) A reduction of the dropout rate,
3) Closing the achievement gap,
4) Intervention in gang activity, and
5) Inspiration to seek a higher education.

II. LULAC leaders will assist school district in developing a plan for increasing Latino teachers, assist in location additional funding, and give their local schools support in their efforts to hire Latino teachers.

III. LULAC leaders will encourage Latino students to seek a career in education, encourage Latino professionals to consider a career in education, and encourage Latino educators to move to those locations with an emergent Latino population.

IV. Ask LULAC National to support and help fund efforts by local LULAC councils or organizations that are seeking to address the shortage of Latino teacher in America.

Approved this 14th day of July 2007.

Rosa Rosales
LULAC National President


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