Show Notes

  • José offers an overview of the education committee of the Rio Grande Valley Equal Voice Network that he chairs. He talks about the committee's mission to educate and train parents and to empower them as leaders who advocate for change.

  • José explains the challenge of understanding the true dropout rates of schools in the region, especially amid concerns that districts are "playing with the numbers."

  • José talks about working with promotora (outreach) groups to disseminate accurate information to families in the nearby colonias.

  • José explains the power of coalitions and outlines how the START Center has benefitted from collaborating with other education agencies.

  • José compares the promotora model of outreach and parental involvement with the approach that school districts typically take.