The document discusses increasing college access for Latino students. It outlines the mission of Latino U College Access, which is to increase college enrollment and completion among first-generation Latino students. It notes barriers Latino students face such as a lack of college guidance and socioeconomic limitations. Statistics show the growing Latino population and their current low rates of degree attainment compared to other groups. Latino U aims to inform, guide and support Latino students through college preparation programs, including information sessions, test prep courses, and assisting with applications and financial aid. The goal is to increase opportunities for Latino youth through collaboration.
College Access for First Generation Latino Students
1. Latino Students
and College Access
Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, MPA
Founder, Executive Director
Latino U College Access, Inc.
.
Guidance Expo
October 21, 2013
2. Mission
• Increase college enrollment and completion among firstgeneration Latino students by providing equal access and
guidance through education, outreach, collaboration and
advocacy, enabling students to reach their full academic and
life potential.
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
3. We Are Latino U!
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
4. US Education Crisis
• International and Economic Threat
- Not keeping pace with other industrialized nations.
- Ranks 16th in post secondary attainment
- Low skilled jobs have declined
- Increasing wealth and educational gap
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
5. Education Crisis
• US Attainment Rates
– High School drop out rates : 30%
– Since 1980 college enrollment increased by 50%
– 41% complete a Bachelor’s degree
– 12% Associate degree
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
6. Labor Forecast
• By 2018
– Increased demand for higher-skilled workers
– 63% of jobs require college
– 22 million new workers with college degree
– Shortage of 3 million workers
Source: Next Generation Learning, Gates Foundation
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
7. 2009 College Degree Attainment
69.1%
70.0%
48.7%
60.0%
41.1%
50.0%
29.4%
40.0%
30.0%
19.2%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
Hispanic
25 - 34-year-olds
African American
White
Asian
National Avg
Source: College Board Advocacy & Policy Center, 2010
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
8. Population Growth by Race
250000
200000
White
150000
Hispanic
100000
African American
Asian
50000
0
2010
2020
2030
2040
2050
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
9. Growing Hispanic Population
• 50 million Hispanics (+43%)
• 56% of nation’s population growth
• Young pop. 17. 1 million ( 17 yrs. or younger)
– 89% US born / first-generation
• Projected to grow to 143 million by 2050
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
10. Largest Minority Among School Age
• 24% of Public School Students
• One in five students k – 12
• One in four among Kindergarten
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
11. Latino Youth
America’s Future
• National and Institutional Mandate
– Increase college enrollment
• Advance education of Hispanics
– Advocacy and Research
• White House Initiative on Education Excellence for Hispanics
• College Board – Latino College Completion Agenda
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• Lumina Foundation
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
12. Westchester County
School Districts
School District
Total Student
Population
Hispanic Student
Population
% Hispanic
Total District
% Hispanic High
School 9-12
% Hispanic
Grades 1 -8
150,620
39,481
26%
25%
26%
Port Chester-Rye Union
Free
4,183
3,083
74%
71%
74%
Tarrytowns Union Free
2,750
1,448
53%
57%
50%
Yonkers City
25,568
13,490
53%
52%
53%
Peekskill City
2,975
1,486
50%
38%
53%
White Plains City
7,134
3,488
49%
46%
50%
Ossining Union Free
4,490
2,107
47%
41%
48%
New Rochelle City
10,889
4,515
41%
38%
42%
Bedford Central School
4,419
1,005
23%
21%
22%
Westchester County
Total
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
13. Barriers to College
Enrollment
• Educational gap at elementary/secondary levels
• Parental language and education
• Socio-economic status limits resources
• Employment needs
• Family responsibility / cultural expectations
• Limited college-going culture
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
14. Perception vs. Reality
•
Perception: If you are Latino you speak Spanish
•
Reality: 38% of US Hispanics prefer Spanish, 38% are bilingual, 24% prefer
English.
51% of US born Hispanics prefer English
•
Perception: Most Latinos are new immigrants
•
Reality: More than 6 out of every 10 Hispanics in America were born here.
•
Perception: Latino families do not value education
•
Reality: 87% Latinos say a college education is extremely or very important.
90.7% of middle and high school Latino youth say they plan to go to college.
Source: How Latinos are Changing America, Parade, 1/20/13
The Latino Agenda, College Board, 2010
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
15. First Generation
Latino Students
– Lack sufficient knowledge about college process.
– Going through process entirely on their own.
– Lack exposure to college campuses or options.
– Under apply: often enroll in less selective schools than
they qualify for.
– Nearly 2/3 of students don’t risk applying.
– Opportunity Gap to access, resources and support
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
16. Access to
Postsecondary Education
• Since 1995 - 2009
– College enrollment has
increased +32%
– Hispanic enrollment + 107%
– Enrollment in 468 most
selective 4 year college
increased +78%
– Enrollment in open-access, 2
and 4 year colleges increased
+21%
Source: Separate and Unequal, July 2013 Georgetown University
Center on Education and the Workforce
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
17. Access to
Postsecondary Education
• Selective colleges spend 2 to 5 times as much as
per student.
• Higher spending leads to:
– Higher college completion rates
– Greater access to graduate and professional schools
– Better economic outcomes in the labor market
– Greater personal and social empowerment
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October
2013
18. The Need
• Increase access to college resources and guidance that is culturally
relevant and bilingual for Latino students and their parents.
– Provide access and information about college search
– Simplify and clarify application process
– Assist and educate about financial aid process
– Identify Latino targeted scholarships
– Increase options and opportunities to ensure “better fit” schools.
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
19. Motivation to Succeed
• Family
• First in family to go to college
• Parents value education
• Emotional support
• Sibling influence / role model
• Culture
• Pride in culture - bilingual and bicultural
• Independence
• Resist social pressure
• Personal pride in accomplishment
• Desire to surmount the odds (“superar”)
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October
2013
20. “It takes A Village”
Family
And Personal
Goals
Academic Support
•Middle Schools
•High Schools
•Post-secondary
institutions
Latino
Student
Success
Community
Members
•Volunteers
•Mentors
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
Community
organizations
•College Access programs
•Libraries
•Youth groups
•family centers
• Churches
21. Goals of Collaboration
• Increased reach, repetition, retention
• Develop strategic relationships
• Support partner efforts
• Enhance use of resources
• Address local needs of students
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
22. Student Programs
Inform
• Information Sessions in
Spanish
• “Pathway to College”
• “Admissions 101”
• “Paying for College”
• “College Success”
Guide
• Student Workshops
• SAT/ACT Prep
• College Essay Writing
• Common Application Boot
Camp
• FAFSA Boot Camp
Support
• Collaboration
• High schools
• Volunteer “College Coaches”
• Mentorship programs
• Post-secondary institution
• Community organization
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
23. INFORM
Parent and Student Presentations in Spanish
– “Pathway to College” / “Pasos a la Universidad” (Grades 8 – 11)
• Preparation and information to inspire college-going goals.
– “Admissions 101” / “Ingreso a la Universidad” (Grades 11 – 12)
• Simplify and clarify admissions process .
– “Paying for College” / “ Ayuda Financiara ” (Grades 8 – 12)
•
Clarify financial and scholarship options and opportunities for Latino students.
– “College Success” / “Exito en la Universidad”
(Grade 12)
• Provide tips, resources and advice to ensure college success.
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
24. Information Sessions
• Proyecto Alcance
• Ossining Public Library
• Mt. Kisco Public Library
• Ossining Central School District
• Bedford Central School District
26. GUIDE
– SAT/ACT Prep
• Offer sessions at a reduced affordable rate.
• Address academic needs of Latino students.
– College Essay Seminar
• Develop unique story through cultural identity
– Common Application Boot camp
•
Provide guidance and support to students in the preparation of their Common Application.
•
Support and utilize HS Guidance Department collaboration
– FAFSA Boot Camp
•
Assist students and parents with the preparation and completion of the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
27. SAT / ACT Summer Tutoring
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October
2013
28. FAFSA Boot Camp
•
Recruited and trained volunteers
•
Ossining HS Computer Lab
•
Successfully assisted each of families that attended
•
Provided additional guidance to families requesting assistance.
•
Staff and volunteers participated in NYSHESC Financial Aid training session.
29. SUPPORT
1. Collaboration with community organizations to reinforce and
support HS Guidance Department efforts.
2. Volunteer “College Coaches” to provide one-on-one help.
3. Access to computer lab for college related needs.
4. Targeted list of Hispanic Scholarships
5. Low cost / free college visits for underrepresented youth
6. Virtual college and Hispanic college fair visits
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
30. “Education is simply the soul of society as it passes
from one generation to another.” B. Disraeli
(c )Latino U College Access, Inc., October 2013
Jamie Merisotis, President of The Lumina Foundation, gives a sense of urgency to the need to increase post-secondary education in America. This “is more than just a good cause, it is an urgent need – a national imperative” – our communities and local economy can only continue to thrive with an educated population
Westchester County Hispanic population increased by 44%. Every municipality in the county reported a gain in Hispanic population.7 districts Hispanic make up over 40% of student body
There does exist an educational gap. Many of our Latino students score lower in math and reading, challenged by reading and language skills as well as study skills.
But there also exists many perceptions that become barriers to our students.
A recent study by Stanford University Center for Education Policy Analysis concluded “the growing racial enrollment gap must be driven by changes in the college application – admission – enrollment decision process – not by changes in the relative academic preparation of white and minority students.”
Even among equally qualified (3.5 GPA) students, equal scoring SAT levels , Hispanics and African Americans attend two-year institutions at higher rates.
We encourage school districts, guidance counselors and community organizations to join together, partner and collaborate
Deliver programs in Public Libraries, Schools, community centers. Conduct Spanish language information sessions for parental engagement.
