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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 |
