Original URL: http://www.azcentral.com/families/education/articles/1217phxedstudy.html
Phoenix joins Latino student study
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 17, 2003
Yvonne Wingett

Aim is to boost graduation rate

PHOENIX - The city will pay $40,000 to participate in a study that examines the high dropout rate among Latino students.

The Latino Education Study, a joint project of Arizona State University's Morrison Institute and the Center for the Future of Arizona, will explore education practices among high-performing schools that enroll high numbers of poor and Latino children.

"We just have to keep these kids in school, get them back in school, engage them in school and make sure they stay in school," said Deborah Dillon, director of the city's youth and education programs.

The $380,000 project will explore teaching methods that help make those schools so successful, said Lattie Coor, chairman and CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona and former president of Arizona State University.

Researchers will look for common practices and policies among high-performing schools, such as class sizes, pre-K programs and teacher credentials.

"We're trying to determine what those practices are that make them successful so we can pass that on to other schools," he said.

It is estimated that as many as half of all first-generation Latinos drop out of school, Coor said.

Family goals, student preparedness and strength of education could be some of the issues that play into the high dropout rate, he said.

Reach the reporter at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-4712.