How to provide services to rural areas
Small group report by Dana McAdams, Linda Moore
State of Texas, Hispanic majority for language and culture
- Cultural Barriers
- Need more parental involvement starting younger
- Bring in success stories, successful people from the community, showing that a college education has value
- Science nights, math nights – parent and kids attend – you could do this starting with the younger grades on up. Might include interpreters
- Language Barriers
- Adult ESL – sending materials home in multiple languages
- Talk with local radio stations. Not enough to put it up on the marquee. Get the word out. Talk to you local radio stations. More diverse stations.
- Greater access to technology (library, schools) – open libraries and schools to parents
- Knowledge (vocabulary) Barriers
- Sheltered instruction (implementing effective strategies)
- Financial Barriers
- FAFSA training, mentoring, family evenings
- How to access resources.
- Perceptions – can't afford it, out of reach, unattainable – low expectations for girls
- Educating parents that education is important, especially with Hispanic girls, e.g. college degree = money and success and less work
- Resources Barriers
- Before and after school programs, summer programs
- Free transportation is necessary for these programs
- Community service hours –use for ESL
- College for Texans has a Web site for both parents and student presentations starting with pre-school, slides, ppts, hands on and handouts
