Creating a College Culture for Latino Students

"This book has affirmed that there is much work to be done to equalize the playing field for Latino students in Education. I am very excited that this topic has been researched and that this information will be available for educators and parents. In a time where the Latino population is quickly becoming a majority, we need to make sure that this majority is educated and capable of fulfilling their role in American society. We need to ensure that Latinos also have an equal opportunity to be educated and employed in the future." -- Nelia Correa-Patrick, Teacher "As a parent of a Latina adolescent, it is validating to read about college readiness through a strength-based perspective of the Latino culture. Our young people deserve a chance and this book will help them succeed." -- Sara Hamerla, ESL Teacher "This resource book provides practical strategies to build a college culture for Latino and minority students. By engaging its readers with compelling narratives from students, parents, and educators in addition to real examples of success, district and school administrators will be inspired to create a change in their school and district cultures." -- Margaret Adams, Director of Language, Literacy, and Title I "Creating a College Culture for Latino Students makes an important contribution to educational literature on student access and success. The author is persuasive in describing why Latinos and/or poorer students need curricular and other supports beginning in elementary school to make the cultural goal of college explicit and feasible. This book is especially important in the breadth of its presentation of Latino students and the types of programming that have been helpful to this diverse student population in elementary, middle, and high school programs." -- Laurie Zucker-Conde, ELL Coordinator "A reader of this book need look no further than Dr. Delgado Gaitan's own story to understand the challenges, struggles, and the ultimate joy of accomplishment faced by Latinos in their quest for a college degree. Dr. Delgado Gaitan's writing justifies the need for a comprehensive strategy starting at an early age in a child's life to enhance the dream of a college education. She emphasizes the culture of the path to college that continues once admission is obtained. Recognizing that getting to college is only the first step, she eloquently speaks to the culture needed for completion- leaving home, positive self-appraisal, confidence, and utilization of available resources (financial aid, support groups, study skills, etc.)." -- Rosemary Papa, Del and Jewell Lewis Endowed Chair of Educational Leadership "Concha Delgado Gaitan addresses one of the most challenging equity issues facing educators today, college and career readiness, a key goal of the Common Core State Standards, and, in this case, Latino student access to college. Creating a College Culture for Latino Students' is a must read for every K-12 educator, for parents, and for anyone in a position to influence Latino students to attend college. The inclusion of stories depicting the actual and courageous journeys that students have traveled to achieve their goal is both poignant and impressive. Of particular note, Delgado Gaitan covers the topic of college planning with parents, a critical component of the successful Latino experience. The future of our country is dependent on its Latino students achieving the American dream of college, and this book not only lays out the background, but offers concrete steps, recommendations, and resources for making this dream a reality." -- Dr. Carmella S. Franco, Former Superintendent and State-Appointed Trustee