Parishes viewed as bridge between public schools, Hispanics

Published: 2004-07-27

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Hispanic ministry leaders are working on programs to use parishes as bridges between Hispanic parents and the public school system. Such programs would try to curb the high Hispanic dropout rate in public schools, which is greater than that for the general U.S. school-age population. Most Hispanic students go to public schools. "We need a parish-based model to work with the public schools on the problem," said Ronaldo Cruz, executive director of the U.S. bishops' Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs. Many Latino parents do not speak English and have low self-esteem, factors that inhibit them from talking to teachers and school counselors, said Cruz. "Sometimes there is indifference by school staff." The secretariat has been consulting with public school officials, Catholic educators and diocesan Hispanic ministry leaders to develop parish-school partnership programs. It plans to present a report in November to the U.S. bishops' Committee on Hispanic Affairs.

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