Susana De Len

Alba Pujol
Angie Hernandez
Intercultural Specialists
CMSW, BCE, CRE, EUE
CMSE, JES, VES
PRMS, CHN, CES

JUMP THE HURDLES OF THE
ACHIEMENT GAP
Guest Speaker: Gerardo Martinez
Parent from Chanhassen Elementary
OBJECTIVES
To address the academic challenges of our Latino
youth
Raise awareness of the challenges faced by our
Latino students being raised in two cultures.
Understand our role in the process of their growth.
Collaborate and share ideas to better understand
our students.
BACKGROUND
Mexican American
14 years in the field of education
Language Arts Teacher - 9 years
8 years = Los Angeles, CA
1 year = Eden Prairie, MN
Mother 3 year old son & 1 year old daughter
Mexican
Graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College
Student teacher of Spanish at Saint Peter High
School & Chaska Middle School East
English teacher in Mexico and
Costa Rica K-8
th



BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Born in Spain raised in Brazil
Teacher in Brazil
Arrived to the U.S. in 1994
Mother 2 sons & 1 daughter
PRE-ACTIVITY

PROGRAMS PARTICIPATION BY
ETHNIC GROUPS
School Population
Credit Recovery
Base / Soar/ Compass/
Pass
MCAs

SCHOOL DISTRICT POPULATION
CREDIT RECOVERY TOTAL
BASE COMPASS & SOAR TOTAL
PASS TOTAL
MCAs Math & Reading
Total Students Tested
MCAs Does Not Met Standards
Math & Reading
93% of students who did Not Meet the Standards on Math and 95% on
Reading belong to a minority group.
MCAs Partially Meets Standards
Math & Reading
86% of students who Partially Met the Standards on Math
and 88% on Reading belong to a Minority Group
MCAs Meets Standards
Math & Reading
70% of the students who Met the Standards on Reading
and 53 % on Math belong to a Minority Group
MCAs Exceeds Standards
Math & Reading
Only 3% of the Hispanic population Exceed the Standards
on Math and 10% on Reading
MCAs Economic Status

There is a big Achievement Gap between the 2 Economic Status
groups of students
Hurdle #1 Education System
Teachers job is at school and parents job is at home
Teachers are put on a pedestal
Parents feel it is rude to ask questions or suggest ideas
Phone calls home are primarily for bad behavior
Very little to no expectations from parents
Parents dont take an active role in the school system
Centralized curriculum one set of books, uniform, rules are
the same across all schools
Depending on where you live, if you have money you go to
school
Higher education is for the wealthy or middle class
School is not mandated
There is a deep respect for education



CHALLENGES
Student not bringing in homework
Older sibling staying home to take care of the
younger sibling
Student coming to school tired
Parents dont speak or learn to speak English
Parents coming late or not coming to meetings
Frequent behavior problems
Frequent absences and tardies
Large drop out rate
Low academic skills



Frustrated
Disillusioned
THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Alienated
Lost identity
Jealousy
Language confusion
Contradiction of culture
Deprived
Academically behind
Sheltered
Our Role - Finish Strong
Educator
Role Model
Facilitator
Mentor
Seek out Resources.
Immerse yourself in
the culture of your
students.





Gerardo Martinez
Born in El Paso TX. Raised in Juarez, Mxico

Certified Continuous Improvement Engineer by the
American Society for Quality. (CI Engineer since 2001)

MS in Manufacturing Systems (2011 expected, St Paul)
Emphasis 1 Leadership (Complete)
Emphasis 2 - Medical Devices Development (Fall 2010)

Masters in Business Administration (2003, Mexico)
Emphasis Total Quality Management

BS Electromechanical Engineering (1991, Mexico)
Adjunct Professor (94-96, ITCJ, Mexico)

Role Mentor
Appreciation of cultural heritage while embracing
being American or living in America

Develop a positive self image

Focus on what I can do, rather than excuse making

Introduce resources available to Latino/Hispanic
Check-In on Culture Activity
Step 1: Each member fills out their own Check-In on
Culture chart

Step 2: As a team tally your I do this a lot and I do this a
little on your Team Chart. Total your team score

Step 3: Pick a representative from your team to share a
best practice or activity from 1 of your I do this a lot or I
do this a little section.
RESOURCES & BEST
PRACTICES

VIDEO

http://www.connectionvideo.com