Dr. Valenzuela Participates in Dropout Conference, Presents Details of Crisis to Texas Legislators - February 26, 2007

Texas Center for Education Policy director Dr. Angela Valenzuela recently participated in a Children At Risk Dropout Conference at the Texas state capitol, speaking to legislators about the high cost paid by the state when an average 120,000 Texas students a year drop out of school.

Experts from Children At Risk, the Intercultural Development Research Association, Rice University’s Center for Education, the Center for Public Policy Priorities and The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education presented dropout-related research findings to around 50 legislators and legislative staff.

“We were quite pleased with the positive response we received from the legislators who were present,” says Valenzuela, an associate professor in the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. “They grasped the severity of the crisis and are interested in getting more supporting information and data so they can craft effective legislation.

“One of the major conclusions drawn and points made at the conference was that we definitely need a much more accurate measure of the number of dropouts – researchers from around the state agree that only about 60 percent of Texas students graduate and that’s 35 percent fewer than what is being reported. Presenters also stressed that we must look at programs that focus on retention and address factors that relate to student engagement.”

In addressing the dropout problem and formulating possible solutions, Valenzuela’s primary area of focus has been on the “disappearance” of English language learners from Texas high schools. It is estimated that between the ninth and 10th grades alone, around 25 percent of the “limited English proficient” students drop out. Data from Houston and Dallas area high schools for ninth and 10th graders in 2004-2005 indicated that only around 20 percent of the English language learners were graduating.

“English language learners have traditionally been marginal to policy,” says Valenzuela, “but now they should be at the center. At an earlier time period, Texas could afford to neglect this population but, given the unprecedented demographic shifts, we now do so at our peril.”

Valenzuela is an expert on Hispanic student academic achievement and recently was awarded a Fulbright scholarship. The Fulbright will allow her to study how Mexican and U.S. institutions can increase educational opportunities for immigrants in the U.S.

—Kay Randall, University Communications, 512-232-3910

Related Links:

• Texas Center for Education Policy
• Department of Curriculum and Instruction