Feedback-
Deelt-
I think your I idea will definitely help pave the way to a solution that will benefit newly arrived Dominican immigrant students attain success as they integrate into the NYC public school system. However, funding for this type of suggested program is the pivotal part of launching it and this is where I believe the deepest failure resides and where the change must originate. As mentioned in my first post, the Dominican immigrant struggle in NYC is two fold. Students come to NYC from the DR with social problems; education being one of the many then the NYC public school system exacerbates the problem by limiting their education to dilapidated schools and mediocre instruction. Basically, if their English skills are lacking or not up to speed they are pegged from the start. The parents definitely need to become more involved. These students need direction especially with the overwhelming pressure of a new country and culture. Their parents need to support their educational goals and endeavors. I hope you go forward with any idea that you have in mind.
Jzakattack-
There's nothing that can be misinterpreted in your article. The problem is well described and it certainly does affect more than a few. I do believe as well other immigrant groups face similar struggles and just to keep the comparison similar I am sure research would reveal similar issues among Puerto Rican students who move to NYC from the island more so than those who were born and raised in NYC of PR descent. Another group that has always been of interest to me are newly arrived Cuban students in Florida. Do they face the same struggles and is education a problem as it is for newly arrived Dominicans immigrants in NYC? This would be interesting comparative information.
The Spanish issues are huge which is a topic in itself. However, I will confirm that there are serious Spanish language deficiencies (en toda la extensi?n de la palabra) in the DR. Basic skills- reading, writing and grammar are a struggle for many and again this problem is a deep rooted educational and vernacular speech problem stemming from the DR.
I also agree with Daddy1 and I indicated this in my post when I said the "social repercussions of living in an enclave".
Once again the article was well written and you mastered outlining the issues effectively.
Rick-
The scarce commodity that education is in the DR for the majority all the more reinforces the fact that those who leave need to capitalize on educational opportunities. That's why Deelt's proposal for a solution is so important because not only do these students have a chance for education that they would not have in the DR, a change in mentality to see it as an opportunity is required first.
-LDG.
Jzakattack said:
Thanks for your thoughtful commentary.
I found researching this article to be quite an education in and of itself, and I was especially intrigued by what Mr. Robert Mercedes (ADASA President) had said to me concerning the deficiencies in Spanish/native tongue literacy of many of the newly arrived immigrant students. While I certainly did not mean to indicate that these are the overriding problems of all - or even most - of the newly arrived Dominicans to the NYC public school system, I am of the impression that such problems affect "more than a few." Incidentally, I can't imagine such problems are exclusive to Dominican immigrants alone.