Distinguished Panel Discusses Educational Opportunities and Challenges Affecting the Latino Community
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rebecca Neale | Teach For America
202.906.9207 | rebecca.neale@teachforamerica.org
LOS ANGELES, November 08, 2010—Teach For America today hosted a forum of community leaders to examine the educational disparities impacting young Latinos in the United States and identify actionable solutions to these disparities. Juan Sepúlveda, director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans; Frank Alvarez, president of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund; Wilmer Valderrama, television actor, director, producer, and official spokesperson for the National Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Ready to Lead program; Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade, codirector of the Cesar Chavez Institute’s Educational Equity Initiative and assistant professor at San Francisco State University; Rebeca Nieves, former president of the Hispanic Council for Reform and Education Options; and Roberto Suro, professor at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and managing director of the Annenberg Innovation Lab at the University of Southern California, joined the interactive event, titled Latinos and Education: A Discussion on the Pursuit of Excellence, at the Orpheum Theater. The event was moderated by KCBS Los Angeles anchor Laura Diaz.
Sponsored by State Farm®, with additional support from FedEx Corporation, the forum drew approximately 1,000 educators and community members to explore the challenges young Latinos face and the ways to better ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education so they are equipped to reach their full potential.
“At Teach For America, we’re committed to enlisting a diverse group of our nation’s future leaders to work toward ending the educational disparities that disproportionately affect communities of color,” said Wendy Kopp, founder and CEO of Teach For America. “We’re grateful to today’s panelists for this valuable opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing Latino students and what more we can do to ensure that every child has access to an excellent education.”
Today’s forum is part of Teach For America’s ongoing effort to end educational inequity by engaging communities of color, particularly Latinos and African Americans, and partnering in the work of closing the achievement gap. National statistics show that this gap greatly impacts Latino students, who are three times as likely to live in a low-income community.
“Through this Community Speakers Series forum, Teach For America is working to support a dialogue of diverse perspectives on how our country can bridge the achievement gap that adversely impacts Latino students,” said Amanda Fernandez, vice president of diversity and inclusiveness at Teach For America. “I’m inspired by the thoughts, ideas, and actions shared during this discussion on ways to improve educational opportunities for Latino children—and all underserved students across our country.”
“I am honored to be part of this dialogue on improving educational outcomes for Latino students to ensure that they are set up for success in college and beyond,” said Frank Alvarez. “The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is working tirelessly to advance college preparation and increase graduation rates among Hispanic Americans, and I am delighted to have Teach For America as a partner in this effort."
Latinos and Education: A Discussion on the Pursuit of Excellence is the third Teach For America Community Speaker Series event. These forums connect communities and colleges in conversations about the educational opportunities and challenges impacting students of color.
About Teach For America
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. Today, more than 8,200 corps members are teaching in 39 regions across the country while 20,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org.
Copyright 2012 Teach For America, Inc. All rights reserved
Teach For America logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Teach For America, Inc.
Teach For America was named one of America's top 100 Ideal Employers in Universum's 2011 American Student Survey.
Teach For America was named one of Fortune magazine's top 100 employers to work for.
Teach For America thanks our National Partners for their generous support.