Overview

Latino and English-language-learner (ELL) children make up a significant portion of the child population in the U.S. and increasingly represent the children likely to participate in and benefit from the Early Care and Education (ECE) programs. The absence of a universally accessible, publicly-funded system of early childhood education means that Latino five-year-olds begin kindergarten significantly undereducated compared to their White counterparts. This initial gap only grows during the twelve years that follow. By the time these preschool children reach high school, only a little more than half will manage to earn a diploma four years later.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) will focus on increasing the percentage of Latino five-year-olds who are “school ready” at entry into kindergarten from 50% to 66% during the next ten years. Research demonstrates that 80% of the achievement gap between Latino and White students at grade four is present before they even begin attending school. Attempts to equalize educational outcomes should be targeted at the critical first five years of life.

Sixty of NCLR’s Affiliates offer some form of early childhood education. Working in 16 states and the District of Columbia collectively serving more than 38,000 preschool-age children and their families, NCLR proposes to support their efforts with technical assistance through identification of best practices, professional development, resource identification, and advocacy.

MAJOR PROJECTS

Lee y serás - Early Literacy Development Initiative

NCLR has developed a national bilingual early literacy development initiative to equip Latino parents with the information and tools they need to embrace their role as their children’s most important teacher – even before their children enter school – by emphasizing daily literacy activities, regardless of their own literacy levels or English fluency. To best reach the families, local partnerships with community-based organizations in six target markets have been formed:

Pre-Kindergarten Parents as Partners (Pre-K PAP)

Parents as Partners is a nine-week parent training program focused on increasing their knowledge of the school system and strengthening their ability to advocate for quality education that will result in school readiness, high school graduation, and college success. NCLR provides trainings for trainers on three curricula (preschool, elementary school, and middle/high school) to community-based organizations, early care providers and centers, and charter schools.

Sembrando Semillas

Sembrando Semillas documents best practices that support Latino family values and language in center-based early childhood programs serving Latino children. The program is based on data collected on family values, needs, and desires for the education of the children they served; program best practices; and knowledge and experience in staff development, parent participation, and education and community involvement. The project’s Latino Family Values Framework provides indicators of best practices for programs serving Latino children and families and gives examples of how program providers have infused these values and core qualities into their program curriculum. Training institutes and onsite coaching and technical support use the Framework as the basis for designing specific interventions for implementing programs.