Latino Students Need Home-Grown Mentors

The lack of mentors in the United States for Latino students is so bad that there is a plan to import them from Mexico. Sounds like a novel idea--invite professionals from south of the border, such as scientists, athletes and artists. Have them meet and chat with young Latino kids and motivate them to stay in school. Then reciprocate by sending professionals from the United States to Mexico. Mayor Gus Garcia of Aust in, Texas, is working with the Mexican government to launch the pilot program.

As much as I feel that this is a well-intended and potentially successful project, I wonder why it's necessary to import mentors instead of recruiting them right here at home. Mentors are one of many possible solutions to reduce the alarming rate of high-school dropouts among Latinos. The latest figures are way too high: 35 percent of Hispanic students leave their studies before the 12th grade. Thirty-five percent. That's higher than any other ethnic group in the United States.

I researched the subject when I spear-headed a campaign on Spanish-language radio a couple of years ago to motivate students to stay in school. That's when I realized there are no easy solutions. For decades, educators have been analyzing this phenomenon and making recommendations. But the problem persists.

In one study called "No More Excuses," everyone involved ended up pointing fingers. Parents blamed the schools. Students blamed the teachers. Teachers blamed the parents and school administrators. And school districts blamed the problem on lack of qualified personnel and lack of cooperation from the community. There were plenty of excuses to go around, but very few solutions -- few, but valuable.

Teachers and administrators discovered that when students got support and had high standards, they did better in class. They also fared better when their cultural differences were taken into consideration.

Among the recommendations the nationwide study made was that each student who is considered a potential drop-out should have a mentor to motivate him or her to stay in school.

Unfortunately, lack of motivation is not the only factor that makes Latino kids call it quits. There are also social and economic reasons. Many young Latinos work to help their families make ends meet, and they can't handle the challenges of both school and work. Others drop out because of peer pressure or because they don't feel safe in their schools. But the majority, according to a study from the U.S. Department of Education, simply don't like school.

If they knew the consequences of dropping out of school, they might think differently. They might put up with having to juggle a tough schedule. Teen-age mothers might look for alternative schooling with child care. If they realized what the future holds for them without an education, they might acquire a taste for school. That is where the role of a mentor comes in--not just to motivate the students and serve as a role model but to educate them about the possibilities out there for those who believe in themselves and work hard to achieve their goals.

Latinos are the largest minority group in the United States. We are now 12.5 percent of the population, a number that is expected to double in the next 20 years. Thirty-five percent of Latinos are under 18 years of age. If one out of every three Latino students continues dropping out of school, the results could be disastrous.

I am sure there are plenty of Latino professionals in the United States. It's commendable that Mexican mentors are making themselves available. But there must be plenty of scientists, athletes, artists and other professionals north of the border who would be willing to be mentors to Latino youths. The future of our country depends on it.

My highlighting. Can we make sure the imported "mentors" go back?...

--Boris

Kind of refreshing to read "the majority, according to a study from the U.S. Department of Education, simply don't like school" coming from an American-mexican source.

From what I've seen and heard of mexican school texts and ideology, those mentors should be arrested and returned as soon as they try to import their snake oil into the US.

OOooh, this makes me want to barf. I was once a "latino" student. I stayed in school because my mamma made me! It also helped that daddy was a doctor and that both raised me believing that being smart was the coolest thing on the planet.

Other than my dad (Admittedly, a big factor), I didn't "look up" to ANY "latinos". I looked up to all those "goofy white guys" who were SMART. They were good enough for me..

But the Latino's DO have "home-grown" mentors: Cheech and Chong! (I'm going to Hell for that one. me bad.)

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