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The Story of Latinos and Education in American History (2019)
This book addresses the long and arduous educational legacy of the Latino population in the United States. Rather starkly, Latinos have been greatly left out of U.S. history. This includes little knowledge about education of the past, where Hispanics were not only segregated but excluded from high school after 8th grade. This lasted nearly a century, as “Mexican Schools” did not teach beyond primary grades. Equally devastating, Latinos were not allowed at most institutions of higher education until the mid-1960s, rather different from Black enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), dating back to the 19th century.
Quite sensibly, Latino miseducation must end, as demographic shifts coupled with persistent achievement gaps forecasts serious challenges. Simply put, as public schools are already nonwhite, with Latinos as the largest group, the country is nowhere prepared for the future, as Latinos and Blacks continually rank lowest in proficiency. With the nation facing an uphill battle educating its future, such devastation has never arisen in American history. In response, this book warns of a looming storm if trends do not change dramatically.
To understand this history and its implications, Dr. Noboa-Ríos goes back to recreate the story. Here he relates the dark legacy before and after Plessy, but also examines lingering post-Brown challenges today for the country’s largest minority group. Quite different from the past, this population can no longer be dismissed, as such numbers cannot be ignored. This creates urgency for the nation, one that must be rapidly solved.
America’s challenge is to ensure these students excel or the country is imperiled. But to understand the present, it is imperative we examine lessons of the past, as old policies dominate the landscape. To ensure balance and equity, a major redress is the key to the future. Yet, for renewal to occur, challenges cannot be viewed as a minority problem. This is an American challenge that faces everyone. …for more information on Dr. Noboa-Rios.
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Critical Issues of Latinos and Education in 21st Century America—Where Are We? (2020)
The year 2011 marked the first time in U.S. history where more nonwhite babies were born than white babies. Academic year 2014-15 marked the first time K-12 public school enrollment became predominantly nonwhite. More recently, among the fifteen largest school districts, Latinos were the predominant group in 14 of them.
The above reality results from a stemming tide among shifting Latino and racial populations rather than current immigration, as more Anglo-Americans are dying than replacement by White births. Here Latinos are rapidly filling the void as the fastest-growing population, nearly 1-in-3 public school students. With the browning of America entering the schoolhouse, Latinos lead the front.
As America’s future is fully linked to the fate of these children, such growth coupled with persistent achievement gaps is where education must focus. Schools must respond to the needs of these children or its future is in jeopardy.
Within this context, Dr. Noboa-Ríos interviewed 112 prominent educators, including foremost Hispanic educators and thought leaders in search for answers to America’s educational challenges. Queries focused on: What are the current trends in demography and how might this impact education? What do trends mean for the future of the country? What do thought leaders envision? What can we learn?
Suggestions and concerns from such scholars and practitioners as well as insights by the author are well taken in this new book. Here the author carefully navigates ten (10) major challenges confronting education, fully struggled by Latino students in public schools. Undoubtedly, U.S. schools are facing rather difficult and seemingly irreconcilable challenges.
Ironically, issues are more about the future of the country through educational renewal rather than piecemeal reform or another academic standard. Needed action requires fundamental shifts for both policy and practice.
As the author expounds, comprehensive change requires an altogether different mindset aimed in a profoundly different direction. Delay in action and political appeasement only misses the point and further confounds. As he clearly elaborates, the country cannot undermine the severity of the problem, nor can the nation continue what has not worked by previous generations.
The educational system must also stop seeking solutions through trite reforms that aim to merely appease the powerful and reaffirm status quo. In brief, the book not only diagnoses severe problems, but greatly informs the reader by carefully examining viable strategies. To this end, the tome carefully explores and suggests viable options.
The book concludes by affirming the need for an action plan that does not dump on the Latino student or lay the blame on society. It also vehemently asserts this is not a Latino problem. Reasoning is that all Americans must be vested in such success and should no longer kick the can down the road.
As the author affirms, the country must instead work at issues comprehensively and collaboratively. Otherwise, all Americans become losers. Education is a collective undertaking, where coalitions of common interest must supersede petty politics and racialized thinking. …for more information on Dr. Noboa-Rios.
Click here for more information on purchasing the book.