National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials

NALEO > News and Media Center > Press Release

For Immediate Release	Contact: Erica Bernal
Febraury 24 , 2006	(213) 747-7606, ext. 111

NALEO EDCUATIONAL FUND CONVENING
POLICY INSTITUTE ON PUBLIC SCHOOL FINANCE IN KANSAS
Institute will bring together Latino policymakers to continue work on eliminating education gap

Overland Park, Kansas –The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund has convened over 35 Latino school board members and state legislators from across the United States for the NALEO National Education Leadership Initiative (NELI) Policy Institute on Public School Finance at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel, this weekend. At the Institute, which runs through Sunday, participants will discuss the process and policies through which public schools are financed.

The NALEO NELI Policy Institute on Public School Finance is a three-day professional development seminar for Latino elected officials designed to enhance participants’ knowledge on this issue in a forum that promotes the discussion and analysis of federal, state and local policies. The Institute will include curriculum that covers national, state, and local trends, proportions of state and local funding among the states, links to student performance, and budgeting – all critical to closing the achievement
gap among Latino students.

Participating elected officials will have the opporunity to develop strategic partnerships with colleagues from other parts of the country. “A convening like this, where there is a forum for school board members, state legislators, and education finance experts to dialogue, strategize, share knowledge and create partnerships, is vital to ensuring our schools have enough resources to close the achievement gap among Latino students,” states the Honorable John P. Bueno, NALEO President and former President Pro-Tem, City of Pontiac, Michigan.

While attending the Institute, participants will have the opportunity to share model initiatives and best practices on school finance. Information presented will include the latest research, model programs, and policy recommendations from federal, state, and local officials as well as education finance policy experts.

“Ensuring adequate resources for our schools and closing the achievement gap for Latino students is a critical issue for our community and the nation,” states Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the NALEO Educational Fund. “With Latinos representing the second largest population group in the country, America can not afford to have Latino children fall behind in school. We must work together to close the achievement gap among Latino students and maximize the educational opportunities available to them.”

About the NALEO Educational Fund

The NALEO Educational Fund is the leading nonprofit organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.

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