Look Me in the Eye: A Hispanic Cultural Perspective on School Reform.

Abstract

Hispanics are a diverse group with considerable differences in count y of origin, social class, race, educational stabis, and level oi assimilation. Nonetheless, what does characterize all the major groups except the Cubans, albeit in varying intensities, are high levels of poverty and low levels of educational achievement. Cultural differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanics often put Hispanic children at a disadvantage when they enter school. Some guiding principles for educational reform efforts to increase Hispanic student learning are: (1) creating a comprehensive sense of student responsibility for the well-being of the school; (2) demonstrating care and concern for every member of the school community; (3) expecting academic excellence; (4) grouping heterogeneously (and eliminating tracking); (5) requiring involved, active learning; (6) strengthening the counseling function; (7) involving and educating parents; (8) connecting s.2.hool and work; (9) immersing students in family and life planning; and (10) providing opportunities for advancement upon high school graduation. Despite the controversy surrounding bilingual education, the issue of how to teach English to language minorities must also be addressed. This paper contains thumbnail histories of the major Hispanic groups in the United States. (Contains 28 references.) (KS)

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