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Monthly Education Policy E-Newsletter: January Edition

Examine Current Civil Rights Issues through the Lens of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Today with Newly Released Curriulum

As we commemorate Dr. King's birthday last week and his life's work and vision today, explore the Anti-Defamation League's new curriculum, "Martin Luther King, Jr. and Civil Rights: Relevancy for Today."

Geared for grades 3-12, the curriculum examines civil rights in the United States through grade-specific lessons, resources, and extension activities. Students can delve deeper into Dr. King's historic "I Have a Dream" speech, drawing from current events to connect its message to present day civil rights issues. Older students will learn more about the history of the civil rights movement and specifically the struggle for voting rights, analyzing current voter suppression laws and the disturbing recent Supreme Court ruling impacting voting rights in Shelby County v. Holder. The comprehensive lesson plans also include suggestions for activities which teach students how to effectively respond to state voting rights restrictions, as well as links so they can contact their Members of Congress on the issue.

LULAC Partners Up with Univision, Helps Bring Resources of Univision Contigo to Community

For years, LULAC and Univision have been strong allies working to inform and engage the Latino community on important issues. Recently, Univision launched a new strategic initiative called Univision Contigo with the purpose of bringing focus to the most critical issues facing the Latino community, and providing a range of valuable resources that will enable Latino families to take immediate action. These resources will fall under four categories, education, health, prosperity and participation. Read more about Univision Contigo. Univision Contigo will serve as the new platform for the education resources formerly listed under the “Es El Momento” website. The community can stay abreast of the latest through Univision Contigo social platforms as well as join the conversation about the issues that matter most to them on www.Facebook.com/UnivisionContigo, @UniContigo on Twitter and using the hashtag #UnivisionContigo across social platforms.

As a strategic partner, LULAC will continue to work with Univision to engage parents in our public schools by encouraging parents to take an education pledge. By taking the pledge, parents promise to engage in their children’s education by taking actions like, attending a PTA meeting, learning more about the Common Core State Standards, and/or setting up meetings with teachers and counselors at their child’s school. To take the pledge, visit www.univisioncontigo.com.

In addition, LULAC will also continue to work with Univision to hold strategic community sessions on the education topics like the Common Core State Standards. Does your council want to hold a community session in your area? Please contact Luis Torres for more information.

Sample Tweets

LULAC Continues to Advocate for E-Rate Expansion and Modernization, Works with the Alliance for Excellent Education as part of 99in5 Coalition to Advance E-Rate Program

With over 60 technology centers across the country, LULAC is committed to ensuring that Latinos have access to technology and high-speed internet. As a strong supporter of the E-Rate Program, LULAC has teamed up with the Alliance for Excellent Education to advocate for the modernization and expansion of the E-Rate as part of the 99in5 coalition.

The E-Rate program provides schools and libraries with discounts on their telephone and Internet access. Schools must apply for the program either individually or as part of a consortia and receive discounts ranging from 20 to 90 percent off their connectivity bills. The level of discount is determined by geography and the level of need, as demonstrated by the number of students receiving free or reduced lunch. Additionally, schools with higher levels of poverty may receive assistance in purchasing needed technology hardware. (Source: www.99in5.org.)

To learn more about the coalition’s work, click here.

Sample Tweets

Show your support for Broadband in schools by sharing these messages on Twitter!

Attend the Education Policy Briefing at 2014 LULAC Legislative Conference

Each year, LULAC members from across the country travel to Washington D.C. in order to participate in the LULAC Annual Legislative Conference where they meet with Members of Congress and agency leaders to partake in meaningful dialogue regarding how present policies and regulations impact the Latino community. Issues to be discussed at this year’s legislative conference include not only education policy but also comprehensive immigration reform, health disparities, and technology policy. The legislative sessions are open to the public. View the Legislative Conference agenda. RSVP here.

Spotlight on State Advocacy Work

New Books for Dallas Kids - for Free!

Having books to read – at home and in the classroom – is the number one predictor of reading success. But the reality for millions of children from low-income families is that books are an unaffordable luxury. Without books, and the intervention of great programs and schools, these children are at risk of fallingbehind in the classroom, the workforce and beyond.

That’s why LULAC is teaming up with First Book to help distribute more than 400,000 brand-new FREE books out of the Dallas area to support educators and programs leaders serving children in need in Dallas and around the country.

First Book is an international nonprofit organization that provides access to high-quality, free and low-cost books for programs and schools who serve children in need. Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 100 million new books to schools and community programs around the country serving children from low-income families.

All LULAC Councils and community partners serving kids in need are encouraged to sign up with First Book today to participate in this free book distribution.

Here's what you need to know:

  1. Sign up online with First Book by January 27th at www.firstbook.org/register. Signing up is free and takes only minutes to complete.
  2. Keep an eye on your email. On January 28th, First Book will send information via email with details on how to apply for free books for your kids. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis so be sure to apply right away. Books can be picked up for free in the Dallas area during the last week of February (details will be provided to approved applicants).
  3. Help spread the word! If you know other teachers, program coordinators or community leaders serving kids in need anywhere around the country, please pass this email on and encourage them to sign up as well. Programs outside the Dallas area can request to have free books shipped to them at about $0.45/book shipping and handling.

Sign up today and let First Book help you open the doors to a brighter future for the children you serve. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact First Book at help@firstbook.org or 866-READ-NOW.

LULAC New Mexico holds 2nd Common Core Town Hall in Albuquerque, NM

Last month, LULAC and NIEA hosted New Mexico Education Secretary Hanna Skandera at a second community town hall. The town hall took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico and served to educate the community about the implementation of Common Core State Standards. To learn more about LULAC’s work on the Common Core State Standards, visit our website, www.LULAC.org/commoncore.

Sample Tweets

Common Core State Standards Implementation Across the U.S.

Click on your state to see CCSS implementation in your state.