Padres Unidos: The Time is Right and The Time is Now!
Improving Education Success for Latino Students

The resignation of the Superintendent of the Toledo Public Schools and the recent dropout prevention conference organized by the United Way in November are the latest installments and opportunities for Latino parents and their communities to improve public education that benefits Latino students.

The time is right and time is now to mobilize a community voice around these two favorable circumstances for improving Latino education outcomes.

Over the following months there will be a flurry of community and behind closed doors meetings to begin deciding who should be our next TPS superintendent and who gets to make or influence that decision.

By and large the TPS board of education will have the final word and will the Latino community be heard?

What qualifications and experience do we want our next superintendent to possess and does Latino education experience matter? Does it matter that there has never been a Latino superintendent? Is it time? Are there any qualified Latinos (as) locally or nationally who would be interested to be the next Toledo Public Schools superintendent?

In the meantime, let’s not forget about the United Way’s current effort to address the dropout problem among primarily Latinos and African-Americans students in the city of Toledo. One of the main issues raised in the breakout sessions was improving graduation outcomes and the one main solution was increasing parental involvement. [Visit: http://www.laprensa1.com/Stories/2009/112709/UW.htm]

We have two opportunities and responsibilities to seat ourselves at these very important decision-making tables, and producing an education improvement plan that includes a Latino flavor.

Looking forward to attending or hearing that the planning process is on its way.

Sincerely,

Ramón Pérez
Toledo, Ohio