TO ESTABLISH AN ADVOCACY FORUM FOR A MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT INTERFACING BETWEEN THE LATINO COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES.

WHEREAS, Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2000 US Census, the Hispanic population in the State of Ohio exceeds 217,000 and are represented in significant numbers in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Lorain, Youngstown, Painesville, Defiance and Fremont and that this population has increased an estimated 85% of the total population growth in comparison to the overall decrease of the general population in Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Hispanics represent the fastest growing ethnic group in Northern Ohio; and
WHEREAS, from the 50% of Latinos that actually graduate from high school , less than a third go off to college, and less than 7% of those actually earn a college degree; and
WHEREAS, access to quality education and opportunity for lifelong learning are fundamental rights of all Americans; and
WHEREAS, increased educational levels can lead to improved career/employment options and opportunities for Hispanics; and
WHEREAS, Toledo’s Latino Community has established a partnership among Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College, Lourdes College and The University of Toledo, to create scholarship opportunities for Latino Students; and
WHEREAS, Toledo’s Latino Community has partnered with regional universities and colleges to implement the Latino Youth Summit which provides career/higher education information for over 800 Latino students.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ohio Latino Community will establish a forum as an advocating body for Hispanic students and parents in Northern Ohio.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this forum will become an arena to further communication as well as establishing and maintaining collaborative initiatives between
educational institutions in Northern Ohio and the Latino Community.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this forum will be comprised of representatives of regional Universities and Colleges, Ohio Latin Leaders and members of the Hispanic Roundtable.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Hispanic Roundtable‘s Education Committee coordinate the formulation of this forum.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the primary focus of this forum will be to implement strategies to ensure increased access and retention of Hispanic students through the strengthening or establishment of appropriate supportive services.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the forum will develop a rubric for continued assessment of progress towards the goals of increasing the numbers of Latinos attending and
graduating from College.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this forum will present semi-annual Assessment Reports to the Hispanic Roundtable and other Latino groups and disseminate these findings among regional Universities and Colleges.

TO DECREASE THE HIGH SCHOOL DROP OUT RATE OF HISPANIC STUDENTS IN THE NORTHERN OHIO REGION

WHEREAS, access to quality education and opportunities for lifelong learning are fundamental rights of all Americans; and
WHEREAS, access to much needed programs and services have been advanced through the litigation of cases such as Lau -vs- Nichols, which addresses the need for bilingual programs; and
WHEREAS, increased educational levels can lead to improved career/employment options and opportunities for Hispanics; and
WHEREAS, increased educational levels can lead to decreased unemployment rates for Hispanics and an improved overall quality of life; and
WHEREAS, ensuring the presence of sufficient numbers of qualified faculty and staff as well as a culturally-sensitive curriculum contributes to the educational success of Hispanic students from pre-school through post-secondary education, and
WHEREAS, the dropout rate of Hispanic students at the state level is nearly 43% and 53% at the national level is unacceptable and is at cross purposes with full participation in the advantages and benefits available to all Americans; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, the Education Area Team of Convencion Hispana 2004 issued a similar resolution charging the Cleveland Metropolitan School District with several mandates to address the problem of the retention of Hispanic students; and
WHEREAS, the problem of Hispanic student retention continues unabated in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and in other Northern Ohio school districts; and
WHEREAS, Latino organizations with an educational focus will undertake the primary responsibility for addressing the challenges faced by the Hispanic community in its struggle for education and economic opportunity.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Education Area Team of Convencion Hispana 2007 will develop a sustainable strategy to address the Hispanic high school dropout rate in Northern Ohio in collaboration with interested stakeholders inclusive of parents, local school districts, Latino organizations, colleges and universities, community and civic groups, area businesses and other key organizations.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this group will utilize existing and available resources and seek to minimize the duplication of effort by fostering collaboration and understanding and obtaining concrete and mutual commitments and buy-in from all concerned to work together toward a common goal of reducing the Hispanic high school dropout rate in Northern Ohio.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that by April 2008, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and other Northern Ohio school districts will provide the Education Area Team with a comprehensive 6-year analysis (2000 - 2006) including, but not limited to, the attendance rate, graduation rate, dropout rate, college participation rate, and demographic profile of its Hispanic student population which will serve as a baseline against which the success of this endeavor will be measured.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this group will leverage current findings and recommendations of extensive research available on the root causes of the Hispanic high school drop out rate thereby reducing the implementation timeline.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this group, on the basis of its data collection and analysis, will develop and adopt a comprehensive three-year plan with measurable outcomes to reduce the Hispanic high school drop out rate in Northern Ohio.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this group will develop best practices that can be successfully replicated in other communities where the Hispanic high school drop out rate is unacceptable.

TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION AND STRENGHTHENING OF THE PADRES UNIDOS ORGANIZATION TO ENSURE ACCESSIBLE AND EQUITABLE EDUCATION FOR LATINO STUDENTS

WHEREAS, Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States, and the fastest growing ethnic group in Northern Ohio; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2000 US Census, the Hispanic population in the State of Ohio exceeds 217,000 and are represented in significant numbers in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Lorain, Youngstown, Painesville, Defiance and Freemont and that this population has increased an estimated 85% of the total population growth in comparison to the overall decrease of the general population in Ohio; and
WHEREAS, parents are the first and primary teachers of their children establishing the cultural, and educational values and foundations necessary for lifelong learning; and
WHEREAS, effective and sustainable school and community partnerships contribute to the educational success of Hispanic students from preschool throughout life; and
WHEREAS, the need for increased accountability is essential for ensuring programs, services, and resources are adequately and appropriately provided for target groups, specifically Hispanics.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Education Area Team of Convencion Hispana 2007, will support Los Padres Unidos Organization to continue their mission to advocate for the educational needs of Latino students in Northern Ohio school districts and other educational institutions.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Padres Unidos Organization, will partner with Northern Ohio school districts and other educational institutions to improve the educational success of Hispanic students through improved programs and services, enhanced parental involvement through effective bilingual outreach, bilingual liaison services, culturally competent staff, and educational trainings for Latino parents.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Los Padres Unidos Organization will collaborate with community and faith-based organizations to ensure equitable and quality educational opportunities for Hispanic students are met through adequate and appropriate services and resources.

Contact Our Team at
eat@convencionhispana.org