New Study Skills Program to Narrow Achievement Gap
Published: 2006-05-2
- What ethnic group represents the fastest-growing student population in the U.S?
- Students in what ethnic group have a school drop-out rate four times that of their Anglo counterparts?
- What group will become the largest minority population in the US between 2005 and 2010?
- What minority group will increase to represent upwards of 60 percent of the US workforce by the year 2050?
These facts have important social and educational implications in a country where education is the key to opportunity and a vital economic system. If the drop-out trends and population increases cited above continue, the country’s workforce may be unable to fill the demands of an increasingly technical and complex work environment. Individuals and families will have a tougher time faring well, and indeed, thriving. In addition, the workforce may not produce enough tax revenue to support a social service system that ensures quality of life for those less fortunate, the elderly, and the average American who depends daily on an array of public infrastructures such as education, transportation, and recreation.
No one would argue that the need to increase academic achievement among Latino students is a pressing concern. Foremost among these advocates is Hispanic business leader, Carlos H. Cantu—founder of Terminex and Senior Chairman of The Service Master Company—who has donated $1 million dollars to A&M University to found the Carlos H. Cantu Hispanic Education and Opportunity Endowment. Cantu himself credits his parents with instilling in him a belief in the importance of education.
It is this kind of parent involvement in education that lays the foundation for a new academic achievement program for Latino students, 7 Secretos Escolares: Guia Familiar para el Exito Escolar (7 Secrets of School Success: A Family Guide to School Success). Just released by IRIS Media, Inc., this Spanish-language video program (with English closed-caption option) follows two Latino families as they set up a study skills program for their children. Fun and upbeat, with interesting characters, realistic scenarios, and an original Latin soundtrack, the program captures parent and student interest alike.
Funded by a research and development grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the evaluation component of the research found that students whose families participated in the program— compared to control-group families—reported spending more time studying, and their teachers reported that they completed more of their assigned homework.
7 Secretos Escolares works. The video is engaging and the secrets can be carried out easily. The video provides step-by-step guidance and offers encouragement and motivation to parents and their children.
Would you like to learn the seven secrets and find out why the research showed that this lively program works? Then pop in your copy of 7 Secretos Escolares video, sit back and prepare to meet Oscar, the neighborhood shopkeeper who steers the Hernandez and Garcia families to the seven secrets—secrets that end up helping young Carlos and Laura improve in school and hold on to their dreams.
Author: Jonathon
