Creating a College Culture for Latino Students—Successful Programs, Practices, and Strategies

Gaitan, an ethnographic researcher and professor of sociocultural studies in education at the U. of California at Davis, explains how teachers can create a college culture for Latino students by socializing them the minute they enter school. She shows how educators can reflect on the importance of preparing Latino students for college, presents examples and lessons for illustration, and details partnerships that schools, nonprofits, and universities have created. She discusses the obstacles involved in getting Latinos to college; the importance of having high expectations, a goal of college attendance, rigorous course taking and academic excellence, college tours and fairs, parental involvement, and early outreach in elementary school; college readiness in middle and secondary school; the features and activities of preparation programs; working with parents; and addressing questions students may have. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)