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About
The Latino/a Educational Achievement Project (LEAP) was started in 1998 to improve academic achievement of Latino students. Among reasons LEAP began:
- Unprecedented growth of Latino students in Washington state - - enrollment of Latino students in the K-12 public schools in Washington increased by 268.6% between 1986 – 2007, compared 7.8% growth of non-Hispanic white students during the same period.
- Washington state’s Latino population is projected to double again in size between 2000 – 2020.
- Latino students continue to score last or next to last on state-administer assessments, including the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL).
- All students are required to meet rigorous academic standards in Washington. Many Latino students who are English Language Learners (ELLs) have not had sufficient time to learn English or meet high standards.
- The teaching infrastructure in Washington state, in most districts, are ill-prepared in meeting the educational or language needs of Latino students, given the rapid demographic growth of Latino students.
In an effort to address the significant challenges, LEAP, along with its Advisory Board, each year establishes educational priorities aimed at improving academic achievements of Latino students. LEAP policies are presented to the State Legislature, the Governor, U.S. Congress, State Board of Education, Higher Education Coordinating Board, State board for Community and Technical Colleges, boards of trustees and regents, and local school boards.
Current and past LEAP activities include:
- An annual educational conference and legislative day
- Student Leadership forums
- Public education workshops for parents, students, and educators
- Advocating at State Legislature for bill passage
- Educating and advising students/parents how to create change in their communities using the local government channels
LEAP is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization in Washington state.
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Copyright
© 2006 Latino/a Educational Achievement Project
23835 Pacific Highway South
PO Box 98000 MS: 99-285
Des Moines, WA 98198
206.878.3710 ext:5176
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