Translation of newspaper article that appeared in Hoy, Thursday, May 5, 2005 edition Parents and Teachers, an Effective Alliance Agency stimulates parental participation in the schools, by Victor R. Perez Before they distribute report cards every five weeks at Benito Juarez Community Academy, a group of educators have already determined how many of the 550 freshmen are at academic risk. And, they are ready to intervene. Early intervention is the first of a two-part program designed by Latino Education Alliance (LEA) that helps to increase the (number/ratio) of Hispanic high school graduates in Pilsen so that they may continue higher education. The other half of the program involves parental participation. “We are aware of the students’ progress,” says Bertha Magaña, executive director of LEA, which is a nonprofit organization that has been in Juarez Academy since 2001. Currently, LEA works with 190 Juarez Academy freshmen students. Parents and teachers collaborate to improve the students’ academic efforts during summer classes and bilingual academic counseling sessions. LEA also encourages parental participation through leadership workshops.   (Summary of La Raza article, May 29-June 4, 2005) Organization Fights Against Academic Abandonment Behind their successes is a team of four women who have given themselves the task to detect teens who have academic problems and to help them come out ahead: Bertha Magaña, Magda Ramos, Adriana Moreno Narváez y Beatriz Fonseca. Magaña is LEA’s executive director; she explained that the educational program was born out of a study that took place in 2000 in Pilsen’s primary and secondary schools to detect why so many students had a low rate of progress. “the study reflected on what were the possible recourses among parents, teachers and principals. That was how the plan for the creation of the program developed,” specified Magaña. LEA was first implemented in 2001 at Benito Juarez Community Academy in the Pilsen neighborhood (2150 S. Laflin St.). As its name indicates, it is an educational alliance in which coordinators, teachers, management, students and parents participate. Magda Ramos, parent coordinator, assures that parental participation is not only necessary but also vital. “Those of us who come from Mexico are accustomed that the parents always participate in the schools but here, due to the language barrier, many do not participate and it is extremely important that they support their children,” expressed Ramos. It is LEA’s job not only to detect in what subjects the students are failing but also to explain to the parents how the U.S. school systems works and to give them guidelines on how to help their children improve their rate of progress. It is not only the students who learn in this program but also the parents since there are different workshops in the afternoon so that they can learn how to support their children. “We don’t claim to teach them how to be parents. We are here to check on their children’s acdemics, and we have gained their trust. They know that we are here for them and if they don’t help us, we can’t do it alone,” added Magda Ramos. Early Intervention According to studies, Hispanic students drop out of school between 8th and 9th grade; that is why it is so important to create early intervention efforts. “When the students begin their high education, they experience a big change. Primary school is like being in a family and here, some students feel desperate. We are like a second family; we are always keeping an eye on what they need, on how they are doing in their classes. We get together with the teachers and the parents to detect if they need specials classes or tutoring,” adds Beatriz Fonseca. Many of the students also suffer from emotional problems for which LEA serves as a liaison, referring them to area social service agencies that can help them. “There are many things that would go undetected if it weren’t for the individual attention that we provide to each student,” assures Bertha Magaña. Each year, more than 190 Juarez Academy students visit the LEA offices to seek help. Many of them are at risk to repeat the school year. “One of our goals is to help them pass the courses that they are failing, that each one develop at a different level, but we always acknowledge their achievements. That is what is important,” added Magaña. It is for that reason that each year, a specific date is chosen to acknowledge those students who have come out ahead. This event occurred June 2, 2005 in the courtyard of Benito Juarez Community Academy. Since its founding four years ago, LEA’s work at Juarez Academy is only the beginning. “We want to expand the program to other schools that have a large Hispanic student population. Our goal is to be a liaison that will help all students achieve academic success,” said the executive director.