Focus on Latinos
A personal letter to those of you involved in Latino Education
Before writing this website, I searched the Internet for the latest information about Latino students. What I got?
A lot of statistics and sincere hopes from educational professionals that things “will change for the better.” I wish these professionals would read my books. They contain answers, not “hopes.” In fact, my books are the answer to the problems of ALL students. The vast majority — no matter their backgrounds — don’t know how to learn or study. Or how critically important study is to the rest of their lives.What students “don’t get.”
Study, Learning, & Knowing Fuel Success. Learners go places.
- Many students think of “study/learning” as tedious, uninteresting, and elusive. That’s because students are young and short-sighted.
- It’s up to their teachers and counselors to introduce the long-range importance of learning.
- As adults, we must find ways to repeatedly weave the “Learning Fuels Your Success” theme into everyday class discussions and advising sessions. Use the concepts from my website.
- Ongoing Theme for students? “Do you want to be Successful? Then get yourself in gear!
This website is filled with serious reasons and potential life opportunities that underscore the importance of study/learning. Share them often with students to help keep students on-track.
Universitario Listo: Consejos prácticos para los padres
Universitario Listo: ¡Gradúate en tiempo!
Se Universitaro Astuto
Aimed at Latinos and solving the Learning Gap, published, 2013.
Teachers, administrators, counselors, and parents must often repeat these messages to students. Weave them naturally into conversations
Without such messages, students will always regard education as tedious, uninteresting, and elusive. If students don‘t know what learning means or how to do it, their education in school will fail.
Plus, their potential in the workplace will simply dissolve — leaving everyone asking, “What happened?”
It’s beginning already. You’ve seen this quote from Wall Street Journal.
One study administered to 32,000 students at 169 colleges and universities found that 40% of college seniors fail to graduate with the complex reasoning/critical thinking skills needed in today’s workplace.
“Why are so many college students failing to gain job skills before graduation?” Jeffrey J. Selingo The Washington Post, Jan 26, 2015
“In school, you are supposed to learn more and more — from one level of school to another.”
“Learning requires study. Study requires time and focused effort.”
“How well you handle study & learning will affect the rest of your life — for better or for worse.”
Newsflash!
My books explain what learning is and how to do it — efficiently and effectively.
It’s that simple. My College Smart® Strategies are the answer. I promise.
FACT: All college students these days are having really big problems, resulting in low grades, late or no graduation, and extra tuition. You’ve seen the numbers throughout this site.
FACT: All college freshmen are unsure of themselves. Every student arrives at college with a bag full of questions, worries, and fears. Unchecked, such concerns turn life aspirations into terrible disappointments. When Latino students don’t get answers, these “typical” problems increase exponentially.
Creating Momentum and Buy-In
Just what you need to build a program. A Program? Why a program?
Programs create a state of mind — a shared experience, like belonging to a group, a club, etc. For example, if high schoolers are told there’s “a program” about College Prep and Life Success, they are more willing to sign-on: “Hey, my friends and classmates are doing it. I don’t want to be left behind.”
In a familiar group… Students can share personal experiences and progress. They can work together — get into a “college prep” state of mind. All led by a counselor/teacher.
With something to grasp onto. Literally — something they can hold in their hands: something like my College Smart® books or Universitario Listo: ¡Gradúate en tiempo! (Coming Soon).
A Case in Point: Se Universitaro Astuto, and Get College Smart® my first book, has enjoyed group sales on Amazon.
Parents, too, will benefit from Universitario Listo: Consejos prácticos para los padres. (Also Coming Soon) along with Universitario Listo: ¡Gradúate en tiempo!, Parents really want learn about college, about special challenges their kids might have, and how to support their student. Plus, many would like to learn in the language they may speak at home.
Parent Groups? What else can parents do to help? Get together to share with each other their experiences and successes in supporting school and workplace readiness” at home.
Newsflash! Right now, the translation of the Parent’s Guide to College Smart® is only pages away from being completed.
My books explain what learning is and how to do it. It’s that simple
My books can help you. My College Smart® Strategies are the answer. I promise.
FACT: All college students these days are having really big problems resulting in low grades, late or no graduation, and extra tuition. You’ve seen the numbers throughout this website.
FACT: All college freshmen are unsure of themselves. Every student arrives at college with a bag full of questions, worries, and even fears. Unchecked, such fears turn life aspirations into terrible disappointments.
Just what you need to build a program. A Program? Why a program? Students who really get into a “college prep” state of mind are those who belong to groups, clubs, etc.
For example, if high school juniors are told there’s a program about college planning, they are more willing to do it. “Hey, my friends and classmates are doing it. I don’t want to be left behind.” In a familiar group, students work together. They share a bond. They can converse with each other about personal experiences and progress.
Plus, they can often be better guided as a group in a program. It becomes a great shared experience, led by a counselor/teacher. Se Universitaro Astuto, my first book, a prelude to the College Smart® series, has enjoyed group sales on Amazon.
The books themselves create the shared bond. True, students should have a group to join. But those kinds of groups need something to grasp onto. Literally —something they can hold in their hands: something like my College Smart® books or Se Universitario Astuto. And the Latino version of College Smart that’s on its way. These books are perfect for Latino students who want to learn about college preparation.
Parents, too, will benefit from Se Universitario Astuto or the College Smart® translation. They, too, really want learn about college, about special challenges their might kids have. Many parents would like to learn in the language they may speak at home. What can they do to help? How to support “readiness” at home?” Parents could also form groups to share their experiences with each other.
Right now, the translation of the Parent’s Guide to College Smart is only pages away from being completed.
What I learned from my first Latino program.
I wanted to see how my books were used and, of course, enjoyed. So I formed a relationship with the school. We stayed in touch to mark progress. I couldn’t be happier and more excited with the results. The teachers use the English versions of the College Smart® books “hands-on” in the classroom.
What did l learn? The students really value the potential the book is offering them. They take the Strategies quite seriously. And they have accomplished wonderful things. The program has been a great success. This school is beginning its third year with the program.
In fact, one of the teachers has spent the summer working with his students to translate the College Smart® Practical Tips for Parents. That, in itself, was a great learning experience for students. It’s coming soon!
So if you direct a program, or are involved in one from “the outside looking in” (i.e., principals, teachers, counselors, and parents), know that from years of experience I understand just what pre-college or in-college students need.
And I want to help you. So send me emails or call me. If you use the book, I’ll digitally visit your school.
Just look at any of my books and you’ll see immediately that I have a passion for college education and every student who hopes to get a college degree.
I want students to learn how to get the most out of their college experience, as well as get the most out of a job and career later.
So to all the Latino Program Directors, teachers, counselors, and parents out there, I say there is a specially-written book available to enrich your relationship with pre-college Latino students.
Want your students to have confidence, motivation, and goals going off to college? My book explains 12 strategies for success.
They’re unified Strategies. They fit together like puzzle pieces to form a whole. It’s a formula for success students usually don’t get anywhere else.
All the best,
P.S. I give huge discounts to Latino Programs. Take advantage.
All my books constantly tell students that their education is directly connected to their career goals. Become an excellent student in classrooms, and you’ll be an excellent employee in any workplace. That’s one my many “sayings” that belong on a Bulletin Board.
Am I ready for college?
How hard is it going to be?
Will I fit in with a whole new group of people?
What if I get low grades?
What should I major in?
What if I can’t handle it emotionally?
What should I major in?
When Latino students don’t get answers, these “typical” problems increase exponentially.