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Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Summit Addresses English Language Learners

FOR THE RECORD: This story inaccurately described El Centro de la Raza at the University of New Mexico. The organization represents all Latino students.

By Maggie Ybarra
Journal Staff Writer
       Revise the way educators teach English language learners. Create an online handbook to assist teachers.
    Those were among the recommendations discussed at a summit this week for bridging the education achievement gap for English language learners.
    The two-day summit, attended by about 120 educators and community directors from across the state, concluded Tuesday at the University of New Mexico.
    The gap between native English speakers and English language learners has long been a sideline conversation for educators concerned by the growing failure rates in their classrooms but too overwhelmed by their work to address the situation, said Veronica Mendez-Cruz, director of El Centro de la Raza.
    El Centro is a UNM organization that provides academic and cultural support for Latino students.
    "A lot of times, what happens is the job gets the best of us, and we no longer take the important time required to address it, and I think that's what came to fruition (Monday) by saying, 'OK, we're having this summit now to address this and to give recommendations to the department of education,' " Mendez-Cruz said. "I think that's incredible."
    Other recommendations include: all teachers and administrators becoming TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certified; higher education institutes collaborating to redesign teacher-licensure requirements; all public education schools adopting a standardized linguistic program; developing a support system for teachers who work with English language learners.
    The nonbinding recommendations will be used to create a statewide plan and will be published in a report by New Mexico First, Education Assistant Secretary Sheila Hyde said.
    Mendez-Cruz said she was apprehensive about whether the recommendations would be taken seriously by state legislators.
    "My only concern is that too many times we have these summits, whether they are race related or language related, and while the recommendations do go to the top, they're not being truly addressed or followed up with," she said.
    New Mexico Education Secretary Veronica Garcia said she hoped the summit would bring attention to a much needed change in the state's education system and bridge the gap between English speakers and English language learners.
    "Our core work is to educate kids so that they have the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and have a better quality of life and to have the opportunity to make choices about college and career," Garcia said.

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