Mexican-American Studies in Texas Classrooms: Solution for Improving Public Education

UH to Host Statewide Educational Conference March 31 & April 1

By Sara Tubbs 713-743-4248

Should Mexican-American studies be incorporated into the K-12 curriculum? Many experts locally and nationally say yes. In one major city school district, adding ethnic studies in the classroom led to significant improvements among ninth graders with a 21 percent increase in attendance and a 14-point increase in GPA.

These are among the many findings that will be presented during a statewide educational conference hosted by the University of Houston Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) on Friday, March 31 at the M.D. Anderson Library and Saturday, April 1 at the Social Work Building.

“Implementing Mexican American Studies in Texas Public Schools: The Power of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy” will address how ethnic studies can play a role in transforming students and schools.

 “We have a responsibility as teachers to tell our students that they are as much a part of this country’s legacy as anyone else, no matter where they came from,” said Augustin Loredo, South Houston High School teacher.

Conference Highlights

  • Testimonials by Houston-area high school students and teachers
  • Governance panel with Texas State Board of Education member Georgina Perez who opposed the adoption of the much-criticized textbook titled “Mexican American Heritage”
  • Keynote speakers, including Houston Independent School District Superintendent Richard Carranza
  • Click here to see complete conference agenda.

 

WHAT:

 

 

UH Hosts Statewide Educational Conference on Implementing Mexican-American Studies in Texas Public Schools

 

WHO:

 

 

UH Center for Mexican American Studies, HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza, along with nationally acclaimed professors from around the country

 

WHEN:

 

8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Friday, March 31

8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 1

 

**Best time to see Superintendent Carranza is 9:30 a.m., Friday

**Best time to see teacher panel is 11:30 a.m., Saturday

**Best time to see student testimonials is 1:15 p.m., Saturday

 

 

WHERE:

 

Friday: University of Houston M.D. Anderson Library, Rockwell Pavilion, 2nd floor (4333 University Dr.)

Saturday: Social Work Building, Auditorium 102 (3511 Cullen Blvd.)

Click here for campus map.

 

 

APRIL 1

ONSITE CONTACT:

 

Lorenzo Cano, conference organizer and educator, 713.743.3133 or lcano@uh.edu

 

 

For more information about UH, visit the university’s newsroom at http://www.uh.edu/news-events/.