Poll Shows 75% of Latino Voters Support School Choice |
Washington, D.C. – A full 75% of Hispanics say that they would be interested in using their own tax dollars to send their children to a private school or a better-performing public school, a poll published this month by Hispanic CREO and the Alliance for School Choice revealed. The poll, which surveyed hundreds of Latino voters, also showed that 65% of Hispanic voters – a significant majority – said that they would be more likely to vote for candidates who support school choice.
Such large numbers show that Latino voters strongly support school choice. “These poll results should serve as a wake-up call to our country’s presidential candidates,” said Anne Guarnera of Hispanic CREO, “Latino families want school choice – and they will use their votes for candidates who will give them that.”
As the 2008 election grows closer, presidential candidates must listen to the Latino voice – and Hispanic CREO will be working hard to make sure that voice is heard. Ms. Rocio Diaz, State Regional Director of Hispanic CREO, has already spoken on behalf of the Hispanic community in an interview with CNN and other media outlets nationwide.
White House Conference Highlights Hispanic CREO |
Washington, D.C. – On Sept. 24, the work of the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options was featured during the first-ever Conference on Education in the Hispanic Community, presented by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The event detailed the educational successes achieved by the Hispanic community, but demonstrated that there is still much room for improvement.
“Education is the fundamental issue in determining whether rising generations of Hispanics - and all students - will live in the full embrace of the American dream,” said Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings.
Hispanic CREO’s work to bring school choice to more families was highlighted by the Secretary and was the centerpiece for a number of workshops during the conference. Hispanic CREO field organizers – Rocio Diaz, Liliana Hutcheson and Christina Caro – presented a session that explored the “Capture, Educate, Motivate, Mobilize” organizing strategy that Hispanic CREO employs in its states. In another session, Maite Arce, Hispanic CREO vice president, discussed the need to expand parental options as a key to solving the education crisis for Latino students.
“Today’s young Hispanics are the first generation that is expected not to do better than their parents,” said Arce. “This is not only a tragedy for our Hispanic community, but it is a disaster for our nation. Without improving our educational system, we will see a lack of skilled, productive workers and our economy will suffer.”
Hispanic students’ test scores have risen considerably since the passing of the No Child Left Behind Act, though they still lag behind White students’ scores according to the 2007 Nation’s Report Card.
“Hispanic CREO recognizes that NCLB has provided low-income and minority students with educational services, information, and opportunities that they have never had before,” said Arce. “More needs to be done to bring school choice and accountability to our nation’s educational system. We urge Congress to reauthorize NCLB to ensure that this happens.”
Hispanic CREO Hosts Influential Faith Leaders Summit |
Washington, D.C. – On August 23rd, 2007, Hispanic CREO hosted its first- ever Faith Leaders Summit, bringing together thirty-five influential Jewish, Catholic and Evangelical leaders to fight for school choice. Forming CREO’s Faith Leaders Coalition, these individuals represent the most diverse group of advocates ever active in the school choice movement.
“With these leaders, we want to form unique, high impact interfaith coalition in order to accomplish and protect school choice in our respective faith communities,” said Robert Aguirre, Chairman of HCREO’s Board.
The thirty-five leaders met during the summit to form regional groups and strategize ways to bring school choice to their home states. As they return to their regions, they will work together to educate their communities about school choice. They will also bring the issue before their state legislatures, mobilizing local lawmakers to create school choice programs.
Historically, Hispanic CREO has had great success using this coalition-building model. CREO’s past coalitions of faith leaders, business leaders, and educational organizations have successfully strengthened the voice for school choice across the US, advocating for educational options at the state and federal level.
Hispanic CREO's Town Hall Captures |
Denver, CO – This month, Hispanic CREO reached out to more than 7,500 Latino families with the message of school choice by participating at the Denver’s annual “Niños Seguros Back to School” event. During this August 9th community fair, Hispanic CREO hosted a Town Hall meeting to discuss educational options in Colorado.
The event presented important speakers from the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, Univision, and Mexican Consulate. Panelists discussed issues related to education and the importance of parental involvement in the children’s education.
Linda Sosa, Hispanic CREO’s Colorado organizer, reported that “the parents who attended the meeting left empowered and ready to fight for a quality education for their children. They want the best for their kids and thanks to the information provided by Hispanic CREO, they are now ready to participate and make a change.”
Since its official launch in December 2005, the Yo CREO: Cambio, Acción, Educación! program has focused intensely on capturing, educating, motivating, and mobilizing Hispanic parents in Colorado. Conducted in collaboration with Entravision, this unique project combines the power and voice of the media with parent workshops and grassroots outreach to empower Colorado Hispanic families with the tools and training to access options for their children’s education.
CREO & Concordia Charter School: |
Mesa, AZ – This month, Hispanic CREO is proud to announce its formal affiliation with the Concordia Charter School. The school joins Hispanic CREO’s affiliate network of more than 35 organizations who work with Hispanic CREO to promote school choice and improve the education of Latino children in the United States. The school's co-founders, Margaret Roush-Meier and Patricia Shaw, share extensive experience in charter school administration and are committed to providing Arizona’s Latino children with a stellar education.
“Partnering with schools like Concordia is a chance to see school choice in action,” says Liliana Hutcheson, Hispanic CREO’s Arizona State Organizer, “Latino parents in Mesa don’t have to settle for their neighborhood schools anymore – now they have the power to choose Concordia Charter School and give their children a better education.”
Sign El Grito! |
Every hour that passes in America, more Hispanics are signing El Grito to guarantee that all parents have the freedom to choose the best school for their children.
Please visit www.justicebychoice.org
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HISPANIC COUNCIL FOR REFORM AND EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 408 Washington, D.C. 20037 (202) 625-6766 •Fax (202) 625-6767 • Toll free 1-877-888-2736 |
School Choice & Hispanics:• Education is among the top 3 issues for 82% of Hispanic voters • 43% of poll respondents rated school choice as their top educational priority. • 83% of Hispanic voters agree that school choice programs give students from low-income families a chance to attend better schools that their parents could otherwise afford. |
| Latino Principal a Force for Change in Washington Heights Since founding the KIPP Infinity Charter four years ago, Negron and his staff have coached their students to some of the highest test scores in the city. The numbers say it all: last year, 99 percent of fifth-graders at KIPP Infinity measured “at or above grade level” on the New York State Mathematics exam, compared to 68 percent of all New York City students. 81 percent of students scored “at or above grade level” on the state’s Congratulations to Joe Negron and KIPP Infinity for their amazing results and the work they are doing to improve the educational outcomes of Latino children in New York. |
Washington, D.C. – You are invited on October 29 - 31st, to attend the "Celebrate Our Rising Stars Summit VI." The event will focus of English Language Learners and feature numerous family and community outreach panels and discussions. Location: Tel: 1-202-483-3000 Registration link: www.oela |
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