From: Michelle R. Rivas
Email:
Course: CD 169: Motivating Children and Adolscents in Educational Settings
College: San Jose State University
Instructor: Eugene Matusov
ClassWeb: http://www.ematusov.com/cd169
ChildrenObservations: No
Date: 22 May 1997
Time: 00:47:57
Remote Name: ppp-206-170-26-71.sntc01.pacbell.net
In this paper I will discuss certain factors why Latino students do not go onto college. I will give statistics on how many students have graduated from high school and later earned their degrees. I will also, give some suggestions on how to motivate Latino students to ensure their succees in college.
In this paper I will discuss why some young Latino people do not go onto college. Also, I will give some suggestions on how to motivate them to encourage their continuation in college. The reason why I thought to write this paper because I have personal experience in this area and because I am very passionate in ensuring the success of my fellow Latino brothers and sisters. Initially, I was going to write about single mothers and how to motivate them to go on to college. However when I started writing the paper I realized that I didn't have any personal experience with that subject or any real desire to research that topic. I then realized that a topic that I have been interested for many years was why so few Latino enter and complete college. Also, since the Latino population is growing so quickly, here and in the United States, why aren't there more Latinos earning their degrees?
It is difficult for me, to imagine myself not in school . For the past 13 years, school has been a major part of my life. I have had countless homework assignments, group projects and unfortunately, report cards. When I was in high school there was never a doubt in my mind that I wouldn't continue on to college, even if I didn't go directly to a four year university.
Luckily, I attended a school district that encouraged higher education, for all it's students. In middle school , counselors met with students to discuss plans for high school and later college. Yet it is reported that in 1989 the high school completion rate for Latinos was 56% and college enrollment was barely 18% (Jennings, 1994). Do you find that as hard to believe as I do? Considering by the year 2000, one third of the total population will consist of people of color. (Jennings, 1994) and the astonishing numbers don't end there. In California, for example, in 1970 the school age population was 27% minority, but by the year 2000 it will be 57%. (The Tomas Rivera Center, 1991) Yet only 10% of the Latino population has earned a college degree. Education needs to a human right for everyone not only for a selected few and not only for the majority population, which is quickly becoming the minority population, in numbers only. Also, education should be provided across the board to all people, "Education at public expense for every individual, to prepare him no only to bear his own economic load and fulfill his personal goals but to share in the maintenance of a free society." (Cole & Cole, 1954) Opportunities need to be present and seen in order for students to reach them, "Education is about opportunity and about giving our children the tools to make the most of their God-given potential (Radio address of the President and Vice President of the United States, 1997)
Education has always been a high priority in my family and also my culture, second only to family. If education is so important to this society and others, specifically Latinos, then why aren't more minority students attending college? It is becoming increasingly important for young people, especially for the minority population, to have an education, so what is the problem and how do we, as future teachers, motivate young Latinos and Latinas to continue their education beyond high school?
It all starts from the beginning of the educational "career." From kindergarten through high school, "...that Latino's continue to experience discrimination in elementary, secondary, and higher education." (Jennings, 1994) Can you imagine, from the time you enter school, as a young child dreaming of some day being a doctor or a teacher and not given the opportunity because of your ethnicity? Because people think or sometimes assume, that your ethnicity will hold you back rather than propel you further? Often times teachers think minority parents don't have as high expectations of their children than non-minority parents do, which in my opinion is not true. At one point or another, "...all minority children encounter social adjustment and academic problems, at leas initially." (Ogbu, 1987)
So again I ask the question, how do we motivate Latinos to encourage them to continue their education?
First, I feel changes should be made in the curriculum, starting in kindergarten. Rarely are classrooms full of children from the same ethnic background or social class. Students, "...spring from particular ethnic and socioeconomic conditions, but bear in their person's the distinctions that mark their own cultural groups." (Cole & Cole, 1954) From kindergarten different cultures should be introduced to the children can see, through books, pictures and stories that all people can succeed, not only the Caucasian population. Attention needs to be placed on the collective environment of the classroom, "...there is a strong bias toward an individualistic orientation, with little attention to context or culturally based influences." (Rueda & Moll, 1994) Education should be sensitive to the children in the they students and open their minds to the possibilities that await them in the future. Instruction of different cultures enables students to see the accomplishments of other cultures and their own culture, as well. From a you e the children are exposed to people who have succeeded through obtaining a higher education, "It is a significant step in helping the American school system to cope with the challenge of educating our Chicano youth without requiring him to sacrifice his culture in the process." (Santa Barbara Board of Education, 1972)
Another method of motivating young Latinos is by providing role models. I feel this is important because role models provide a visual aspect to motivate young people. If they can actually see someone who has "made it" then this might in turn motivate them. For example, if a young college student volunteers at his/her local high school or jr. high school then the younger students see, first hand the possibility of success. Advice can be given from a person close in age rather than from an advisor or counselor. There are many successful Latinos throughout our communities but often times only the negative is heard. But that's a whole other paper!!) Whether it is through the media (via t.v., magazines, books or movies) or personal experience young Latino children need to see other Latinos succeeding in society which might result in motivation them to continue their education.
Finally, the importance of follow up once the adolescent enters college to ensure graduation. Often times, once the adolescent enters a university he/she is part of a whole new world and is all alone. Organizations such as the Summer Bridge program, offered by SJSU provides students with valuable information about their new school. Students are overwhelmed by the size of the campus, different classes and generally, the structure of "college life." Guidance can be provided by counselors or student volunteers, who already know how the system works. It is a to understand that although Latinos eventually will not be a minority, number wise, they will continue to be a minority power wise, that is, "lacking in power and resource control." (Bean & Frisbee, 1967) Change needs to happen from all parts of society if we, as a society, want all our children to succeed in life. Through culturally sensitive education, role models, follow up assistance and opportunity. Young people need to see and understand that there are others like them out there trying to succeed and better their lives, for themselves and for their families and the way of doing that is through education. Also, "...to Latinos the single most important goal is giving minorities such as blacks and Latinos, opportunities to succeed." (Create, 1997). However, motivating people , of any age, is very difficult but not impossible task. However, there are methods of helping young people, especially Latinos, to encourage them to continue their education. Perhaps the motivation they receive will prompt them to motivate other youngsters in the future and continue the cycle. In conclusion, education is one of the many factors that determine financial success. Education can determine future possibilities and also, "...be employed as the primary indicator of socioeconomic position." (Bean & Frisbie, 1978) Also, higher education can result in graduates obtaining better and higher paying jobs, which might result in moving out of the barrios or poverty stricken areas in which some, not all, Latinos live in. Jennings goes on to say, "The right to a good job should be as firmly guaranteed as the human right to vote...." Jennings, 1994)
So as this Sunday, May 25th, draws near and 130 Latino students gather together for Chicano commencement and graduate from San Jose State University my dream for the future, for my self, and other Latino students, is still alive.
References:
Bean & Frisbie, 1978. Demographics of Minorities in the U.S. London Press, LTD.
Cole, Edward and Martha Weisner, 1954. Emerging Minorities. Cydell Press, Inc., New York, New York
Jennings, John, 1994. Black, Latinos and Asians in the United States. Newbury Printing , New Haven, Conn.
Ogbu, J.U. (1987). Variability in minority school performance: A problem in search of an explanation. Anthropology and Education Quarterly, 18.
Rueda, R. & Nikk, L.C. (1994). A sociocultural perspective on motivation, In Motivation: Theory and research. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
**Web references
http://professionals.com/~chepc/close/closesbl.html
http://www.cretre.org/financialaidforchiclatinos.html