This is a letter that was sent recently to the Minneapolis school board regarding the search for a Minneapolis School superintendent.
It is signed by a diverse list of Latino leaders, and spells out our sugestions on the superintendent selection. Latinos make a large and rapidly growing percentage of Minneapolis school enrollment. The Latino Leadership for the Future of Minneapolis committee has been formed and has been meeting to ensure that latino childrens needs are addressed adequately. Members of the Board of Education Minneapolis Public Schools 807 Broadway NE Dear Board Members: As concerned activists for educational reform in the local Latino communities we write to you to share our recommendations regarding your search and eventual appointment of a new school superintendent for the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS). As we recognize the rich history and diversity in our district we are deeply concerned with the underachievement of all of our students. Students in poverty whether they are African-American, Native American, Asian, Latino or White need to benefit from a leader who truly understands and has had success with the issues of a large urban school district. While addressing the needs and respecting of our traditional population we must also look towards the future demographics of our community and their expertise in the area of English Language Learners. Currently the English Language Learner population of MPS is over 10,000 students represented by 96 different languages 67 of those with ten or more students. Students with English as a second language account for 25% of the total student population of MPS. The Spanish speaking population represents the largest portion of these students. As you know, there are currently 6,200 Latino students enrolled in Minneapolis. Of these about 5,100 use Spanish as there predominate language at home. Of those students, 4,075 (ELL) do not use English as their primary language and who comprise about 10% of our enrolled student body. These students represent a major demographic shift in the makeup of our classrooms as further evidenced by the fact that fully a third of all K-3 enrollees are participating in English Learning Language (ELL) services. Latino students are leading the way in this dramatic shift. In our opinion, this unprecedented change in student background strongly suggests that the ability to work effectively with ELL students should be at the very center of the delivery of education services in Minneapolis. We are aware that MPS has a strong history in incorporating the practices of educating non-English speaking students however; to date such practices have been thought of as "in addition to" the central design of the district's approach to education. We believe the time has come for MPS to place ELL practices as a universal framework for the district's work. Such practices should no longer operate on the margins of operations such as; budgets, teacher assignments, curricular development, staff development, parent involvement etc. Because of the growing reality of second language learners, and the related factor of immigrant status for a large group of Minneapolis students, it is incumbent that the next superintendent be a proven leader not only in working with a diverse student body in a large urban center, but also be superbly knowledgeable in the educational practices connected both to second language learners and to immigrant communities. We want you to be aware that knowledge of working with minority communities alone may not be the same as having knowledge about the best practices to educate second language, immigrant students. As local Latinos we recognize the importance of the Minneapolis Public Schools to the advancement of our cultural community. Minneapolis has benefited from the new entrepreneurial energy of Latino immigrants in the form new businesses, increased home ownership, greater stability of neighborhoods and the revitalization of many social institutions. This can only be sustained however if our young find success and opportunity in the local public school system. For this to happen we all need the kind of leadership at MPS that can intelligently focus the district on the fact that it is has become a district of immigrant students. Ultimately the well being of the entire city rests on such leadership. It is within this vision that we offer our assistance to your search for a new superintendent. We can provide you with expert information to use in your process of identifying, recruiting, screening and choosing your next leader. We can also provide ways to reach your Spanish speaking, Latino and immigrant communities and solicit their contribution to, and facilitate their awareness of your search process. Within this spirit, and on behalf of our children, we stand ready to assist you. We await your response and look forward to opportunities to engage you on these issues. Sinceramente, Latino Leadership for the Future of Minneapolis 2700 E Lake St Mpls. MN 55407 Jesse Bethke, co-chair Claudia Fuentes, Jennifer Godinez, co-chair Carlos Mariani, Frank Zaragoza, Alberto Monserrate, Roberto Fonts Errol Edwards Frank Zaragosa Alberto Monserrate President Latino Communications Network 2019 E Lake Street (LCN Media) Publishers of the weekly Spanish Newspaper Gente de Minnesota the bi-weekly Latino Entertainment Guide Vida y Sabor and the yearly Minnesota-Iowa Yellow Pages Hispanic Directory Office: 612-729-5900 Office: 612-243-1283 Fax: 612-729-5999 Web: www.lcnmedia.com REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 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