SAN DIEGO – Recognizing a broad-based coalition that is pushing the county to afford all students equal access to curriculum that provides a solid foundation for them to enter the workforce or attend college, the Latina/Latino Unity Coalition today presented the Education Consortium of San Diego County an award for its vision and early organizing efforts.
The award was received by Isidro Ortiz, the consortium’s vice chair, who represents the San Diego County Concilio on Higher Education.
Formed earlier this year, the Education Consortium is a non-partisan collaboration of more than 25 organizations who are engaged in increasing the educational opportunities and achievements of the economically and educationally disadvantaged in San Diego County. The consortium seeks to:
- Decrease the drop-out / push-out rates of economically and educationally disadvantaged students in K-12
- Increase the high school graduation rates and college-eligibility rates of economically and educationally disadvantaged students in K-12
- Increase the enrollment and graduation of underrepresented and underprivileged students in local universities, community colleges, and vocational programs
- Educate students and parents about their rights and responsibilities and the resources available to them to access educational opportunities
- Educate the public about the state of access and the importance of increasing access so that all portions of the county are able to contribute to our communities, our economy, and our democracy.
The coalition is chaired by Andrea Guerrero of the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties. Members include San Diego Workforce Partnership, BIOCOM, San Diego Dropout Taskforce, the Chicano Federation, San Diego Human Relations Commission, The Center, San Diego State University Associated Students, and SEIU 221. For a full listing, visit the Education Consortium of San Diego County's website.
