Illustration by Gemma Fa-Kaji
Latinx student success has increased in California over the past decade, but not enough, says a new report on Latinx student performance. “The Majority Report” was released in November 2017 by the Education Trust-West, an organization that advocates for educational equity in California.
Based on state public school data, the Education Trust reported that Latinx students face greater challenges in California schools, have lower test scores, and have higher dropout rates than some of their white and Asian peers.
Currently, there are 3.3 million Latinx students enrolled in California’s K-12 schools, roughly 54 percent of the public school population. In 2017, less than one third of Latinx or Hispanic third-graders met or exceeded English literacy standards. 41 percent ranked “Standards Not Met” and 28 percent “Standards Nearly Met.”
In Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) in 2017, the percentage of Latinx students who met or exceeded third grade English standards was about ten percent higher than the state average, but there is still an achievement gap. 4.46 percent of white students and 22.73 percent of Asian students ranked “Standards Not Met.”
“The district has been improving the academic success of Latino students who are English Language Learners, Long Term English Language Learners and Newcomers. Gradually these cohort groups have been improving from when I first started on the board in 2008,” said School Board Member Beatriz Leyva-Cutler.
At six elementary schools — Emerson, Malcolm X, LeConte, John Muir, Berkeley Arts Magnet, and Thousand Oaks — BUSD operates the Parent Liaison Program. The program aims to support students and families by promoting engagement between schools and families, working with teachers to monitor student progress, and interviewing families to directly support their child’s education. At schools with large Spanish speaking communities, there are bilingual parent liaisons to increase the involvement of families with limited English proficiency.
The Parent Liaison Program aligns with The Majority Report’s suggestion that promoting family communication with schools will reduce the barriers between schools and families.
“Nonetheless, I believe we can do a better job to grow the leadership of Latino and African American parents to not only come out to trainings but also participate in governance,” Leyva-Cutler said.
She suggested continuing and expanding parent workshops in Spanish on graduation requirements, math and common core, computer skills, and Career Technology Education.
At Berkeley High School (BHS), programs such as Bridge, RISE and AVID work to help students of color, including Latinx students, to succeed academically by supporting them throughout their academic careers.
BUSD has seen a rise in Latinx student graduation rates, from 75 percent graduating from high school in 2011 to 85.6 percent in 2016.
One recommendation from “The Majority Report” is to implement culturally inclusive curricula as a means of engaging students and improving academic success.
BHS Teacher and Chicanx Latinx United Voices Advisor Amanda Moreno said she works to incorporate materials into her lessons that inspire students of different backgrounds, include them in conversations, and validate their stories.
Moreno teaches the two sections of Chicanx-Latinx Literature offered at BHS.
She said the class gives students an opportunity to explore books and materials they can personally relate to. “I remember that was really what lit the flame for me in college. I got to take a course where every book I read … they were identities I could relate to and was intrigued by,” Moreno said.
She said, “As a Latina woman, [I’m] bringing that into my classroom, asking ‘How does it feel to be a Latinx student in the classroom?”
“The Majority Report” also recommends fostering school environments that are more diverse, inclusive and culturally aware. “More diverse classroom settings is one way that BUSD could improve,” said one Academic Choice junior. “It makes students feel more included and more represented,” they continued.
“The Majority Report” also advises districts to publicly communicate support and protections for undocumented students and mixed immigration status families. BUSD has expressed commitment to continue to uphold and develop sanctuary district policies.
Leyva-Cutler said, “The district has been very clear in supporting undocumented students and mixed-status families by providing a resolution, training and protocol for school staff on how to handle potential encounters with immigration and law enforcement.”
In addition to BUSD’s current work to support Latinx student achievement, Leyva-Cutler said the district has plans for future improvement.
“[The district will] continue to utilize the Local Control Funding Formula (LCCF) Plan to improve the academic outcomes of Latino and African American students who disproportionately do not have the proficiency in English/Math that white students demonstrate,” she said.
The district will also make adjustments to the LCCF plan and create action plans to assist students in special education who are predominantly students of color, Leyva-Cutler said.