Latino Success in Math and/or

Latino Success in Math and/or Science

Improving Latinos' proficiency in mathematics and the natural sciences and increasing the representation of Latinos in scientific fields

Improving Latinos' proficiency in mathematics and the natural sciences and increasing the representation of Latinos in scientific fields

Latinos have often had to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers to access educational resources. This has impeded many Latinos' success in math and the natural sciences. Yet professions in math and the sciences, such as engineering and medicine, are often more lucrative than other fields. Science-related jobs are increasingly necessary for the advancement of the world as a whole, as the use of digital media becomes ubiquitous. Improving Latino participation in math and science could improve the economic standing of the community, and also expand access for the community as a whole to technology and healthcare. According to the Self-Reliance Foundation, "Latino students score lower on math and science achievement tests than national averages, enroll at disproportionately lower levels, and are underrepresented in undergraduate and graduate science and engineering programs."

On state proficiency tests, there is often a significant disparity between the scores of whites and non-whites. For example, in California, the results of state proficiency exams "point most sharply to a glaring disparity in student performance between blacks and Latinos and their white and Asian counterparts -- regardless of income…. In math, only 26% of black students and 31% of Latino students statewide scored proficient or better, while 54% of white students and 68% of Asian students scored proficient or better" (Lieberman 2007). A lack of English literacy and low teacher expectations more than economic circumstances were blamed for the results.

With this in mind, many colleges have created mentorship and diversity programs specifically focused on increasing Latino math and science majors. For example, Hartnell College in California's Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) program provides Latino students with academic support, academic career counseling, leadership opportunities, field trips, and stages early intervention when problems occur. "Students in this program have averaged one letter grade higher in performance than students who have not participated" (Kane 2004, p.17).

However, mentorship alone will not satisfy some of the practical concerns in promoting Latino advancement, such as the language barriers some Latinos experience when transitioning from a primarily non-English speaking household to a mainstream classroom. Depending on the district, students may participate in stand-alone ESL programs where students are removed from their regular classrooms and taught English as a foreign language in a resource room or ESL students may receive instruction in a more intensive format. The 'pull out' method has the disadvantage of forcing students to grapple with math and science with their English-speaking peers, even though many students find such subjects difficult even in their primary language,. ESL-plus programs may comprise bilingual classrooms, or consist of classrooms where students receive content area instruction in their own language, along with English classes designed to enhance the second language learner's proficiency. or, the ESL-plus program may be in English, but many consist only of ESL students, and have its vocabulary tailored to their needs (McLeon 1986).