White House Initiative Visits Springdale Literacy Program

STAFF PHOTO J.T. Wampler Mary Bridgforth, English as a second language program coordinator at Turnbow, introduces staff from the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
STAFF PHOTO J.T. Wampler Mary Bridgforth, English as a second language program coordinator at Turnbow, introduces staff from the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

SPRINGDALE -- Hispanic parents in the Family Literacy Program at Turnbow Elementary School had the opportunity Tuesday to help Hispanic communities in other areas of the country.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Education and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics visited Turnbow's literacy program as part of the Education Department's yearly Back to School Bus Tour.

At A Glance (w/logo)

The Initiative

The White House Initiative On Educational Excellence For Hispanics was created by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and renewed by President Barack Obama on Oct. 19, 2010.

The initiative goals are:

• Improving Hispanic children’s access to early learning programs.

• Increasing the number of Hispanic high school graduates.

• Encouraging more Hispanics to enroll in and complete college.

Source: ed.gov

They sat at a table in the school's library with 10 mothers, school officials and community leaders. Most of their questions were focused on the program itself: how the parents learned about it and how it has impacted mothers and their children.

The program is now in 14 schools in the district, said Diana Smith, adult education teacher for the program. It focuses on four components: learning English; parents spending time in class with their children; bringing in community leaders to teach parents about community resources; and teaching parents how the education system works.

"I'm just amazed by the impact it has on the Hispanic community," Smith said.

The conversation Tuesday morning will impact communities across the nation, because initiative officials will use the program as an example of what other communities can do, said Alejandra Ceja, executive director of the initiative.

"I'm just very impressed by what I've seen," Ceja said.

Maria Morales said through a translator she has two children at Turnbow. One is in special education. The program helped her learn about resources available to help her child.

Veronica Saucedo said through a translator she has a child in third grade. She likes that the teachers and principal are focused on the parents as well as the students. She likes that she can go to the teacher when she needs help.

It's generally difficult to get Hispanic parents to engage with school officials because of language and culture barriers, Ceja said. Investing in methods to overcome those barriers will pay off by providing a more educated work force and a positive impact on the economy.

Smith said she overcomes barriers by developing relationships with the parents. She hosts a family night once a month where parents bring their children and spouses to participate in themed activities, such as science or board games.

"We just have a good time," she said.

The discussion among the mothers and initiative officials may be good for the Hispanic community in Springdale as well as those elsewhere, said Carrie Wolk, program coordinator for the Cisneros Center which works to increase access for the Hispanic community to organizations that help immigrant integration. Conversations can generate more ideas that can benefit a community and can also help spread information about the literacy program.

Officials were to visit Har-Ber High School and the Early Childhood Center on Tuesday before leaving for Atlanta, Ceja said.

NW News on 09/10/2014

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