OCTOBER 18: HISPANIC FEDERATION TO HOST FIRST IN-PERSON NATIONAL HISPANIC EDUCATION SUMMIT SINCE 2019

Education Summit comes on the heels of landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court 

to Prohibit the Use of Affirmative Action in College Admissions 

Speakers include Melody Gonzalez, Executive Director for the White House Initiative Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence & Economic Opportunity for Hispanics; Carolyne Quintana, Deputy Chancellor of Teaching and Learning of NYC Public Schools; Harvey Chism, Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; plus non-profit and top education leaders 

RSVP and view the full schedule here 

NATIONAL—On Wednesday, October 18 at 8:30 AM ET, top national policymakers, educational leaders, students, and parents will join Hispanic Federation for its annual Education Summit at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City. The summit will largely focus on the biggest challenges Latinx children face in their K-12 and postsecondary education. Specifically, leaders will hold panel discussions examining math literacy and inclusion, data equity, financing postsecondary education amid the student loan debt crisis, and the importance of social and emotional learning in relation to educational achievement. The Summit will start with a national focus and then home in on educational issues that are top of mind for New York families. RSVP and view the full schedule here. 

This is the first in-person Hispanic Federation Education Summit since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of indoor events and conferences across the country. It is also the first HF National Hispanic Education Summit since the United States Supreme Court ruled to prohibit the use of affirmative action in education, which is expected to lead to a sharp drop in Latino college enrollment.  

 
WHAT: Hispanic Federation’s Annual Hispanic Education Summit 

WHO:
Frankie Miranda, President and CEO, Hispanic Federation 
Melody Gonzales, Executive Director, White House Initiative Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics
Leticia Vasquez, Director of College Access Programs, The Double Discovery Center, Columbia University 
Additional speakers and participants can be found below. 

WHEN: Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 8:30 AM EST – 4:00 PM EST 

WHERE: CUNY Graduate Center 
365 5th Avenue 
New York, NY 10016  

RSVP INFO: RSVP AND VIEW FULL SCHEDULE HERE 

In the aftermath of the pandemic, students of color still face greater educational inequities that may be exacerbated due to the United States Supreme Court’s decision prohibiting the use of affirmative action in education. A 2022 report found that Latinx children are still less likely to receive the type of instruction proven to be most effective in closing pandemic-created learning gaps, deepening pre-existing inequities. In addition, a report from the National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that 2022 test scores were at a ten-year-low for all students during the pandemic but fell even lower for Latinx students.  

The recommendations and insights developed and shared at the summit will help shape programmatic and legislative strategies to accelerate equity in education going forward. 

ABOUT THE PANELS AND PRESENTATIONS 

Plenary Session: Defending and Reimaging College Diversity Without Affirmative Action 

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM ET 

Session A: Latino College Success: Increasing College Completion Through Powerful Partnerships and Effective University Practices 

11:00 AM – 12: 15 PM ET 

Location: CUNY Graduate Center, Lower Level, Salon A 

Session B: Fostering Inclusive and Equitable Math Literacy: Addressing the Challenges in K-12 Education  

11:00 AM – 12: 15 PM ET 

Location: CUNY Graduate Center, Lower Level, Salon B 

Moderator: Harvey Chism, Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 

Considering the record low city, state, and national math student test scores, it is crucial to address the challenges faced in achieving inclusive and equitable math literacy for all students. Join our esteemed panel of experts as they delve into the world of K-12 math education and explore innovative strategies to improve math literacy and pave the way for successful careers. This panel will explore factors contributing to low test scores and identify areas for improvement, discuss evidence-based teaching methods, curriculum design, and assessment practices that promote inclusivity and equity in the classroom. Panelists will also address the unique challenges faced by marginalized and underrepresented student populations, sharing insights on how to provide targeted support and resources to ensure equal opportunities for success in math education. Join us for an engaging and insightful discussion on how to create a more inclusive and equitable math education system that empowers all students to reach their full potential. 

Session C: Data Disaggregation as a Policy Tool: Leveraging Race, Ethnicity, and Language Data to Drive Student-Centric Policies and Programs  

11:00 AM – 12: 15 PM ET 

This panel will explore how the experience and voices of Latinos are crucial in understanding community needs and informing policies and initiatives. The panel will also highlight a newly launched partnership between Hispanic Federation and the Leadership Conference Education Fund. Starting in October, HF will encourage its network of Latino constituents to share their opinions, views, and perspectives in surveys, polls and focus groups. More robust insight from the community will lead to more overall data equity and mobility. 

Session A: Integrating College Access into School Culture and Programs to Support Latino Immigrant Students 

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM ET 

Location: CUNY Graduate Center, Lower Level, Salon A 

Session B: Equity at the Crossroads: Unraveling the Nexus of K-12 Education, Zoning Laws, Poverty, and Race 

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM ET 

Location: CUNY Graduate Center, Lower Level, Salon B 

Presenter: Halley Potter, Fellow, The Century Foundation 

Housing and zoning policies play a significant role in perpetuating or alleviating educational disparities. Attendees will learn the mechanisms through which discriminatory housing practices and exclusionary zoning policies can exacerbate inequalities in educational opportunities. Through case studies and analyses done in New York State, we’ll shed light on policy changes and messaging strategies to foster more equitable housing practices and inclusive zoning policies that promote better educational outcomes for all. 

As new immigrants to this country, newcomer Latino English Learners face complex challenges in being prepared for and applying to college. As first-generation college-going students, their parents lack the broader social capital of students from more privileged backgrounds, including knowledge of the U.S. higher education system. Transformative are school structures, programs and culture that set expectations that they can attend college and prepare them with the tools and academic preparation to do so are key. This presentation shares an embedded multi-pronged college readiness approach that can work in diverse high school communities to set students up for success. 

Session C: Empowering Dreamers as an UndocuAlly 

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM ET 

Location: CUNY Graduate Center, Lower Level, Salon C 

Presenter: Leticia Vasquez, Director of College Access Programs, The Double Discovery Center at Columbia University 

To reveal or conceal is challenge undocumented students are forced to face driven by fear, fear that is stirred by public discourse. Lack of financial resources from federal, state, and higher education institutions is a significant barrier that undocumented students are forced to confront when deciding to attend college and more importantly their ability to persist through the course of their enrollment. However, research shows that undocumented students that enroll and persist through college when they can identify a member of their network who can help them throughout their collegiate journey. Through this workshop, participants will be able to understand what it means to be an ally and most importantly, an UndocuAlly. They will be able to familiarize themselves with the challenges undocumented college-bound students and college students face so that we can feel empowered to support them navigate college and beyond. 

Session A: The Importance of Social and Emotional Learning Skills in Education Advancement 

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM ET 

Location: CUNY Graduate Center, Lower Level, Salon A 

Presenter: Eleana Leiva, Director of Poverty Alleviation, We Are Not Afraid Resource Community Center 

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is as equally important as academics in higher education; it is a component that not only aids to improving academics, but it teaches students the necessary tools for overall success, expansion, and growth in professional and personal settings. Social and emotional learning helps students develop in much needed areas that academics do not, such as relationship building, problem-solving, self-regulation, impulse control, empathy and so much more! Attendees will learn the five core components of SEL, the implementation of SEL in higher education, and how to integrate SEL with academics. Additionally, this presentation will explore policies that are working in supporting students’ social and emotional wellness as well as policy recommendations to ensure social and emotional support is made available to students. 

Session B: Financing A Postsecondary Education: FAFSA Completion Events for English & Multilingual Learners 

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM ET 

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