July 7, 2007 Grant helps migrant students By Natalie Garcia In 2006, more than 25,000 Tulare County students — most of them the children of agricultural workers — were considered English-learners. Those students, whose families may have no history of higher education, face more challenges than their peers when it comes to attending a college or university. But Sheli Silva, administrator of migrant programs for Kings and Tulare counties, believes the obstacles can be overcome. And next year she'll get a little help. The California Department of Education announced this week that Tulare and Kings counties will receive one of six California Migrant Education Project Pipeline grants, which are designed to get more migrant students qualified for California's state and University of California campuses. The $175,000 grant will provide tutoring, guidance, leadership training and college visits to those who otherwise would go without, Silva said.
Migrant students in grades eight through 12 will be eligible.
Migrant students are defined as children of agricultural workers who have moved in the last three years — in the Cutler-Orosi, Dinuba, Porterville and Reef Sunset (Kings County) school districts. The California Department of Education Web site does not keep data on migrant students specifically. But the four participating school districts enrolled 8,340 English-language-learners — 32 percent of all students — during the 2005-06 school year, with the vast majority speaking Spanish as their first language. In Tulare and Kings counties in 2006, about 9 percent of migrant students were accepted into the UC system, Silva said. She hopes to see that figure increase by 10 to 15 percent, but that will be difficult in a county where just 25 percent of high school seniors complete all college-prep classes before graduation. Silva said students will rise to the challenge if educators apply pressure and inspire a good work ethic. "It takes a while for the students who are going through the motions to finish high school and be UC-ready," Silva said.
"When they start to have some accomplishments and success, they get excited. They believe they are going to college, and nothing can stop them."
A Valley native and a child of migrant workers herself, Silva is passionate about leading students toward a brighter future.
"I was one of 10 children," Silva said. "We grew up in this Valley and we are all successful."
The 180 migrant students involved in the pilot program will benefit from: Twice-a-week after-school classes in English and math Continuous meetings with guidance counselors
College visits to California State University campuses in Fresno and Bakersfield
Presentations from migrant college students and local Hispanic leaders
Independent study to make up missing college-prep credits A parent-involvement program designed to develop a pro-college philosophy among migrant families
A leadership camp at the Clemmie Gill School of Conservation and Science for about 90 students. |