Challenge to educate Hispanics

The National Education Association released a report on the status of Hispanics in education today. Some of its key findings include:

•   The high school and college completion rates among Hispanics, though up from 1970 and 2004, still lag far behind the completion rates of whites.

•   Hispanic student scores in the National Assessment of Educational Progress between 1990 and 2005 improved in math and reading, but not enough to close the large achievement gap. Notably, less than half of Hispanic fourth-graders have achieved a basic level of reading performance on the test.

To make up ground, the group offers some recommendations. These include reducing class sizes; creating new classroom strategies to engage Hispanic students, and enhancing teacher preparation and professional development to better understand the culture of Hispanic students and to help students master English. The group also calls for better relationships between parents, the community and schools, and for more money to support education initiatives for Hispanic children.

This is a big deal in Florida, where the Hispanic population continues to grow. Any thoughts about the best course of action to overcome the gaps the NEA has identified?