<div dir="ltr"><h1 class="">Report: RI Latino achievement gaps among worst</h1>
<h5 class=""><span class="">By ERIKA NIEDOWSKI, Associated Press</span></h5>
<h5 class="" title="2013-08-27T02:59:01Z">
Updated 2:59 am, Tuesday, August 27, 2013
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<p>PROVIDENCE,
R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island has some of the worst achievement gaps between
Latino and white students in the country and the state's English
language learning program is in crisis, a report released Tuesday said.</p><p>The report by the <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Feducation&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Latino+Policy+Institute%22">Latino Policy Institute</a> at <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Feducation&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Roger+Williams+University%22">Roger Williams University</a>
found that Latino students scored two to three levels behind their
white peers on National Assessment of Educational Progress math tests.
They scored one to two levels behind in reading.</p><p>Rhode
Island's Latinos are half a grade to a full grade behind their Latino
peers nationally in math and reading, according to the report.</p><p>The
report also cited what it called a crisis in the English Language
Learner program. Twenty percent of Latino students in Rhode Island are
in the program. They ranked last among English language learners in
eight-grade math and in the bottom 10 states in other measures. In
Providence, Central Falls and Pawtucket, where the vast majority of
Latinos live, only three of 18 annual proficiency targets were met last
year, the report said.</p><p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Feducation&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Anna+Cano+Morales%22">Anna Cano Morales</a>,
director of the Latino Policy Institute, called the report's findings
daunting. She said educators have known for years that Latino students
lag behind their white peers, but noted the finding bears new
significance because Latinos are the state's fastest-growing population
and make up a sizable portion of students in several districts.</p><p>Sixty-three
percent of students in Providence and 72 percent in Central Falls are
Latino, according to the report. One-third of Pawtucket students
are Latino.</p><p>"We're not a subgroup anymore," said Cano Morales, who is <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Feducation&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Central+Falls+school+board%22">Central Falls school board</a>
chairwoman. "Our current systems do not have the capacity to do what it
takes to be successful with our students today. Our urban systems need
to redesign public education."</p><p>Cano
Morales said addressing Latino achievement is critical for the state's
future workforce and economy. She said there are examples of successes
that need to be replicated on a larger scale.</p><p>Latinos make up about 13 percent of the state's population of just over 1 million.</p><p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Feducation&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Elementary+and+Secondary+Education%22">Elementary and Secondary Education</a> Commissioner <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Feducation&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Deborah+Gist%22">Deborah Gist</a>
said the state has made progress closing the achievement gap — part of
the department's strategic plan — but that more needs to be done.</p><p>"There is still a crisis that has to be addressed," she said.</p><p>She said she is grateful for the report and the attention it will bring the issue.</p>
<p>The
report said economic disparities likely contribute to academic
disparities between Latino and white students in Rhode Island as well
between Latino students in the state and their national peers. The
median annual income of Latino families in Rhode Island is just under
$29,000, compared with about $60,000 for white families, the
report said.</p><p>Providence Mayor <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Feducation&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Angel+Taveras%22">Angel Taveras</a> called the report an important reminder of the urgency the district faces in improving achievement for all students.</p>
<p>Central Falls Superintendent <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news%2Feducation&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Frances+Gallo%22">Frances Gallo</a>
said the district is working to address challenges related to Latino
achievement. She said all new hires must be versed in teaching
strategies for English language learners and that the district aims to
have veteran teachers fully certified in second language learner
instruction within five years.</p><p>The
report also found that Rhode Island Latinos are about twice as likely
as whites to drop out of school. The Latino rate was nearly 20 percent,
compared with 9.5 percent for whites.</p>
<a href="http://www.sfgate.com/news/education/article/Report-RI-Latino-achievement-gaps-among-worst-4763262.php">http://www.sfgate.com/news/education/article/Report-RI-Latino-achievement-gaps-among-worst-4763262.php</a><br>
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