Obama, Univision To Broadcast Town Hall Meeting On Hispanic Education

On the U.S. Department of Education's blog, the White House announced that President Obama will coordinate with Spanish-language media company Univision to broadcast a town hall meeting on March 28.

Titled "Noticias Univision Presenta: Es El Momento -- El Presidente, Los Hispanos y la Educación" (The Moment is Now: The President, Hispanics and Education), the town hall forum will feature President Obama discussing the state of Hispanic educational attainment in the U.S. with students, parents and teachers.

He will also answer submitted questions from the public. Any who are interested can submit questions or comments related to the theme through this form on Univision's website.

In October 2010, Obama signed an executive order to boost educational achievement for Hispanics and Latinos, reports AP. Obama noted that about 20 percent of students in America are Hispanic or Latino, yet they are statistically more likely to drop out.

He said:

"This is not just a Latino problem. This is an American problem. We've got to solve it, because if we allow these trends to continue, it won't just be one community that falls behind. We will all fall behind together."

Univision launched its "Es El Momento" (The Moment is Now) campaign in February 2010 to inform its largely Hispanic audience on how to pursue higher education. It also provides information on training children to become college-ready.

A live stream will be available in both English and Spanish at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 28.

Comments

[poeticjustice4all]

12:14 AM on 03/25/2011

Until this nation accounts and makes reparations for the murder, land grab and ill-gotten gains of the Mexican-American war era -- nothing will change.

[changing]

10:23 PM on 03/24/2011

I am sure Obama will be pushing his privatization plans as the panacea. Always looking for a audience to deceive about his deform plans. Course his best education friend is Jeb Bush so maybe he can join him.

[toolology]

04:42 PM on 03/23/2011

A few snipets from one of those funny emails friends send you.
HIGH SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2010

Scenario 1:
Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2010 - Police called and SWAT team arrives -- they arrest both Johnny and Mark. They are both charged with assault and both expelled even though Johnny started it

Scenario 2:
Jeffrey will not be still in class, he disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to the Principal's office and given a good paddling by the Principal. He then returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2010 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. He becomes a zombie. He is then tested for ADD. The family gets extra money (SSI) from the government because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario 3:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2010 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against the state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is then banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

This shows how stupid we have become!

[Einstein Was Right]

10:26 AM on 03/22/2011

Maybe the trespassers can go home now to learn Englsih?

[Salvador Limon]

11:40 AM on 03/22/2011

How ignorant...well this "trespasser" right here went to UC Berkeley and is part of Teach For America... I'm fighting a good fight that will only benefit the future of this nation. What are you doing for what you assume to be YOUR country... People like you are the reason why society is all messed up... Paz...

[Einstein Was Right]

01:29 PM on 03/22/2011

If you are a legal immigrant... I apologize if I insulted you and welcome you with open arms to this once great land.

If not, I would be curious as to how you went to UCBerkely, albeit, being Berkely.

I paid my dues and served, long before you were probably born for this country and have active duty family as we chat.

People like me only ask that immigration be fixed, not screwed over.
I'm all for cultures of all lands' and peoples' to add to the fabric of this nation.
It's what makes it so unusual and desirable for those to come.

Peace to you, too.
And do well with Teach for America.
It can use some people. Adios.

[one tequila two tequila]

09:25 AM on 03/22/2011

Lets get the Hispanic vote, I'll roll up my selves, put on some comfortable shoes (make sure the photographer is taking photos) and we will get down...
No way Jose...!