Throughout the country, Latinos serving in public office are molding policies and programs to improve educational outcomes for all students.  As such, Latino state legislators, municipal officers and school board members are invited to a national convening to address the current state of education for Latino students from preschool to graduate studies (P-20). 

As the second largest population group in the United States, the educational attainment of Latino youth is intrinsically connected to the nation’s future success.  Demographers have
long projected the social and economic trajectory of the country’s shifting population trends.  Census population estimates indicate that the Latino population will continue a rapid rate of growth.  The steady increase of this very youthful population makes it imperative that Latino youth benefit from full access to educational experiences of the highest quality. 

The NALEO Educational Fund invites you to enhance your working knowledge of the state of Latino education by engaging in a cross-jurisdictional dialogue between Latino elected
officials from every level of government on policy issues such as pre-k and the early grades,
the Federal No Child Left Behind Act, English Language Learner success, school leader and teacher quality, high school equity, and higher education access.  Discussions between participants will also examine the role of accountability and leadership in the effort to eliminate the achievement gap for Latino students.

The 4th Annual National Summit on the State of Latino Education will provide a three-day intensive seminar in a retreat setting where elected officials will participate in a series of informational panels, sessions and strategy groups.  Participants will have access to leading policy experts from the public, private and non-profit sectors and will engage in structured discussions on the state of Latino education allowing for strategic partnerships at the federal, state, and district levels.  The Summit will feature insight from national leaders and organizations on the latest education trends, research, policy recommendations, promising practices and model programs for accelerating the academic success of Latino students.

The Summit is part of the NALEO Education Leadership Initiative (NELI).  This unique program is designed to enhance the governance and education policymaking skills of Latino elected officials.  NELI provides intensive training and professional development through various
Policy Institutes organized throughout the year.  Each of these events addresses the systemic challenges impacting Latino student success across the P-20 pipeline.

Latino elected officials are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity.  There is no fee to attend the Summit for current NALEO members ($100 annual fee).  If necessary, the NALEO Educational Fund will provide those NALEO members who attend the Summit with air travel to and from Washington, D.C., as well as a three-night hotel stay and meals as part of the Summit. 

For more information about the Summit, contact:

Samuel Robles
(213) 747-7606, ext. 121
srobles@naleo.org. 

To register for the Summit, please call:

Susie Guzman
(213) 747-7606, ext. 118
sguzman@naleo.org (by August 15, 2008).

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Sponsored by:
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Foundation for Child Development
Pre-K Now
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
State Farm Insurance Companies