Editor,
I am writing this letter in response to Patricia Roybal-Caballero’s letter “Hispanic Education Act will close academic gap in NM.”
While there is a huge achievement gap between Hispanic students and other ethnic groups, the passing of this legislation is ignoring the problems faced by every other ethnic group in New Mexico.
I have the rare position of being a dual enrollment student with UNM, and also take an algebra class at Albuquerque Evening High School. There should be blame placed on the schools, but this bill fails to properly address other issues.
The first issue is that many students in New Mexico fail to see the importance of an education, not just Hispanic students. Often times in my night class, the students are busy talking on the phone and trying to do anything other than class work. This is not the teacher’s fault, since she tries in every way to make algebra easily understandable. Placing more focus on a student’s future and the education would be of great benefit.
The second issue is that there aren’t many educational resources available to poorer students. Most of my high school teachers have tried to fit all the topics to be covered, but not all students learn at the same pace. The teachers end up spending more time on a specific topic, which means that a few others must be left out.
If the funding put towards closing the Hispanic achievement gap were instead placed towards tutoring and other educational help, a broader group of students would be helped, instead of one specific ethnic group. A system that mirrors UNM’s CAPS could help ease the achievement gap.
The third issue is that the parents need to become more involved in their student’s education. The legislators can funnel as much money as they would like into the schools, but without proper follow up at home, the achievement gap will stay as it is. If parents took extra steps towards making sure their student is completing their work and understanding the material, the schools’ efforts will have a greater impact on the students.
Education should not be a matter of race or ethnicity. We as a society cannot progress towards equality while passing legislation aimed at one group.
Hispanic students can greatly empower themselves, not by receiving special focus only available to them, but by taking the reins of their own education and seeking out the same help everyone else deserves.
There is a Hispanic achievement gap, but by passing ethnic specific legislation, we are ignoring the greater problem.
Ashley Dorneden
UNM student
