(October 28, 2004) USC, Davidson Conference Center, Los Angeles _ Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard speaks at the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute Conference about efforts to improve Latino college enrollment. Founded in 1985, the Institute helps to shape public policy by providing elected officials and community leaders with non-partisan research. The Institute has published 200 research reports and policy briefs addressing a wide range of topics - from immigration and education to technology and employment. The Institute is an affiliated research unit of USC's School of Policy, Planning and Development and is associated with the Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy at Columbia University.
The following is a summary of the congresswoman's remarks: "I would like to begin by thanking my long time friend Dr. Harry Pachon for inviting me to participate in today's conference.
As many of you know, Dr. Pachon is an internationally known and published expert on U.S. Latino politics and political behavior, and a prominent leader in the Latino community.
I also thank our three panelists who have taken time out of their busy schedules to share their expertise and thoughts on education policy and its impact on Latino college enrollment.
In addition, I thank the dedicated staff of the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute who worked so hard to ensure the success of today's conference.
And, I most sincerely extend my thanks to you, the members of our audience, for being here today because your presence is critical to the success of this workshop.
While those of us on the dais create policy and have an important legislative and political perspective of the problems associated with Latino college enrollment, it is you, who work everyday in the field that are the true experts.
As active participants in our communities, our schools, our college administration offices, and our classrooms -- you know from experience what education policies work best for our Latino youth; and what policies do not.
As many of you know, only 52% of Latino students graduate from high school. Of that 52%, only 16% is prepared for college. To change this will require a partnership between those of us who create policy, and those of you that must implement or live with that policy.
It will take a partnership between you and your elected officials to create policies that will help our children attain a quality education.
Although today's focus was on the state and local perspective on education, I want to assure you that those of us at the federal level fully understand that what happens in local and state government is directly impacted by decisions made in Washington D.C. Whether it's: Title I instruction ($7.2 billion short); the Trio programs; Pell Grants (frozen); after school programs; teacher training (eliminated); Title VI Educational Block Grant- school based counseling programs; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions, the No Child Left Behind Act; or immigration policies for immigrant students -- the decisions made at the federal level directly impact content, funding, and the implementation of these and countless other education programs.
Therefore, I and my congressional colleagues look forward to working in partnership with you, and our local and state officials to enact policies that not only prepare our children for the rigors of a college education, but make education accessible and affordable as well. By working together, we will improve the quality of life of our children and that of our Latino communities.
The following is a summary of the congresswoman's remarks: "I would like to begin by thanking my long time friend Dr. Harry Pachon for inviting me to participate in today's conference.
As many of you know, Dr. Pachon is an internationally known and published expert on U.S. Latino politics and political behavior, and a prominent leader in the Latino community.
I also thank our three panelists who have taken time out of their busy schedules to share their expertise and thoughts on education policy and its impact on Latino college enrollment.
In addition, I thank the dedicated staff of the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute who worked so hard to ensure the success of today's conference.
And, I most sincerely extend my thanks to you, the members of our audience, for being here today because your presence is critical to the success of this workshop.
While those of us on the dais create policy and have an important legislative and political perspective of the problems associated with Latino college enrollment, it is you, who work everyday in the field that are the true experts.
As active participants in our communities, our schools, our college administration offices, and our classrooms -- you know from experience what education policies work best for our Latino youth; and what policies do not.
As many of you know, only 52% of Latino students graduate from high school. Of that 52%, only 16% is prepared for college. To change this will require a partnership between those of us who create policy, and those of you that must implement or live with that policy.
It will take a partnership between you and your elected officials to create policies that will help our children attain a quality education.
Although today's focus was on the state and local perspective on education, I want to assure you that those of us at the federal level fully understand that what happens in local and state government is directly impacted by decisions made in Washington D.C. Whether it's: Title I instruction ($7.2 billion short); the Trio programs; Pell Grants (frozen); after school programs; teacher training (eliminated); Title VI Educational Block Grant- school based counseling programs; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions, the No Child Left Behind Act; or immigration policies for immigrant students -- the decisions made at the federal level directly impact content, funding, and the implementation of these and countless other education programs.
Therefore, I and my congressional colleagues look forward to working in partnership with you, and our local and state officials to enact policies that not only prepare our children for the rigors of a college education, but make education accessible and affordable as well. By working together, we will improve the quality of life of our children and that of our Latino communities.