Chicago, Illinois–(HISPANIC PR WIRE)–October 9, 2002–Increased dropouts, gaps in achievement and lower standings on state assessments – in regards to education, these are the issues that increasingly bring the Latino community to the forefront. How do we as educators, business leaders and community members work together to reduce the effects of marginalization and increase the success of all of our students?

Chicago-area educators have designed a national conference for all those interested in the success of Latino students to come together and create working Action Plans to increase achievement levels. In cooperation with the Illinois State Board of Education, members of several Chicago area school districts and Intermediate Service Centers (North Cook and West 40) present High Achievement for Latino Learners: The Tools to Make it Happen, October 24-26, 2002 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois).

Conference Overview:

Several prominent members of the education sector and Latino community will be presenting at the conference. Introductions by Sunny Chico, Department of Education, precede the opening keynote address by Victor Villaseñor on Thursday evening. Specific strategies and recognized, successful programs presented by leading national and local educators follow on Friday, with facilitated sessions on Saturday to design individual Action Plans.

Conference Presentations and Introductions by the following:

— Sunny Chico, Envoy and spokesperson for the Secretary of Education in the US Department of Education’s Region V (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI)

— Armando Almendarez, Deputy Chief Education Officer of Chicago Public Schools

— Victor Villaseñor, best-selling author

— Manuel Isquierdo, Illinois Principal and state director of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Illinois (L.U.L.A.C.)

— Caroline Sanchez-Crozier, Education Chair for the League of United Latin American Citizens, Illinois (L.U.L.A.C.)

— Margarita Calderón, Faculty/Research Scientist at the Center for Research on Education of Students Placed At Risk at Johns Hopkins University

— Rosita López-Marcano, Professor in the Department of Leadership and Educational Administration and School Business Management at Northern Illinois University

— Manny Sanchez, Chairman of the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees

Call TW Branun at 1-800-531-0082 or visit http://www.twblearn.com for more information or to register. Registrations as a team of community and education member are encouraged; however individual registrations will also be of great benefit. Please call TW Branun for pricing information.

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CONTACT:

Holly Mayo

TW Branun & Associates

604-465-8499 (phone)

604-465-2325 (fax)