7 Secretos Escolares (7 Secrets to School Success)
Published: 2008-03-03
Video Librarian
For a Latino student in the U.S., the odds are daunting: not only are these kids four times more likely to drop out of school, but if the family recently immigrated, the parents are often counting on the children to learn English and get a good job in America. But due to low or nonexistent English skills, parents often see schools and teachers as intimidating and therefore avoid the involvement that is absolutely crucial to their children’s education. In this excellent Spanish-language video, a dramatization introduces viewers to Carlos Hernandez and Laura Garcia, who are falling behind in school, much to the frustration of their parents. Luckily, Oscar, the respected neighborhood shopkeeper, knows seven simple secrets of school success, which revolve around time-honored techniques for both students and parents, including setting up a home study environment and monitoring homework. Boasting good production values and realistic portrayals, this straight-forward program makes it clear that limited English or knowledge of school subjects is no barrier to encouraging kids and parents to become invested in a team effort towards academic success.
Highly recommended. Aud: E, I, J, H, P.
Gieschen, E. (2004, January/February). Video Librarian, 19, 23.
Booklist
Aimed at Latinos, this production "lays the foundation for a new academic achievement program" as it follows two Latino families while they set up a study-skills program for their children. In the first scenario, Laura and Carlos are experiencing difficulty in school. Laura aspires to be a singer and Carlos wants to be an astronaut. Neighborhood store-owner mediates between home and school to help the youngsters achieve their potential. This helpful dramatization shows how the school counselor works with the parents, who then set up a home study area where their kids can work without distractions. Although some footage seems a bit hazy, the program presents a vital message and is recommended for collections with Latino populations. The DVD contains English subtitles, and the video is closed-captioned.
McCray, N. (2004, January). 2003 Editors' Choice. Booklist, 100, 885.
Educational Media Reviews Online
7 Secrets of School Success has an entertaining story line created from the results of a research-based study concerning eighty Latino middle-school students and their families. The results of the study dictated the need for a culturally appropriate video program designed to facilitate parental involvement in helping students gain the necessary study skills to make them successful in their academic endeavors. This well done VHS tape, DVD, and accompanying materials, cover the roles that need to be played by parents and students to make the program a success. The topics deal with the importance of using effective strategies and guidance to help build students' study habits and self-esteem while monitoring the daily progress and achievements with praise and reward. The Educator’s Guide written in both English and Spanish gives an introduction to the program and includes a letter to parents and students using the resource.
The audio and video quality is excellent, prepared in Spanish with English subtitles and with a scene selection option. This feature gives the viewer the opportunity to focus on specific areas of the story without going back to the beginning. This resource is highly recommended, with a great potential for use in many different collections. These materials would be useful to educators and counselors who have the obligation to develop and implement these culturally appropriate strategies. Teacher education programs could benefit by making their students aware that such resources exist. It is imperative that public libraries and curriculum centers make available such tools to the ever-growing Hispanic population.
http://libweb.lib.buffalo.edu/emro/emroDetail.asp?number=1410
Reviewed by Hope Marie Cook, Curriculum Center Librarian, Eastern Connecticut State University
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