Innovative teachers are taking the civil-rights message of empowerment to the teachings of math literacy. The Algebra Project is an interactive curriculum that focuses on rural and inner-city schools. African-American and Latino kids who are currently failing in math and sciences learn to question and find joy in math. A distinguished Chicano scientist talks about how the project helps develop active citizens. This program is part of Línea Abierta’s series Latinos in Engineering.

Guest: Carlos Castillo-Chávez, professor of Biomathematics, director of the Mathematical and Theoretical Biology Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

A conversation with Dr. Ireneo Rojas Hernández, a P’urhepecha-speaking Indian from Cheran, Michoacán who completed with honors doctorate-degree studies in physics in Germany. He has been a physics researcher and professor in Michoacan’s Universidad de San Nicolás for the past 25 years. He is also known as a writer and long-time advocate of his native P’urhepecha language and culture. This is a repeat program, part of the series Latinos in Engineering.

Dr. Luis Ortiz Franco, a math professor and leader of mathematicians, is an advocate of expanding the knowledge and teaching of mathematics among Latinos and increasing the representation of Latinos in mathematics-based careers. He speaks about his studies on pre-Columbian mathematics achievements by Olmecs, Aztecs and Incas, and current mathematics activity in Latin America and among U.S.

Dr. Luis Ortiz Franco, a math professor and leader of mathematicians, is an advocate of expanding the knowledge and teaching of mathematics among Latinos and increasing the representation of Latinos in mathematics-based careers. He speaks about his studies on pre-Columbian mathematics achievements by Olmecs, Aztecs and Incas, and current mathematics activity in Latin America and among U.S. Latinos. This program is part of the series Latinos in Engineering.

Guest: Dr. Luis Ortiz Franco, mathematics professor, Chapman University in Orange, CA; vice-president, International Study Group on Ethnomathematics.

COVER THE UNINSURED WEEK. Through a number of activities in the 50 states, hundreds of organizations alert the public about the plight of those living without health insurance. They will also ask for help from Congress to make health care coverage a top priority. Nearly 46 million Americans, a high number Latinos, are living without health insurance.

Guest:

Dr. Jane Delgado, president and CEO, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, Washington, DC.

ALSO, A REPORT ON BOYCOTT DAY. Ricardo Garcia, executive director of KDNA in Granger, WA, provides news and analysis on the conclusion of national boycott day in Washington state.

IN ADDITION, JANITORS SECOND MAJOR WIN. Eliseo Medina ends on this day a ten-day fast in Miami as his union signs an agreement that gives 450 janitors the right to form a union. This is the second major victory for janitors in the South, following one in Houston last year. This is an interview with Eliseo Medina, international vicepresident of SEIU.

UNIVERSAL PRE-SCHOOL. All California families will have access to free, high-quality pre-school education for their four-year children. This is what Proposition 82 in the June 6th ballot offers California voters. This is a debate on the issue.

Guests: Christine Soto, senior adviser, Preschool California, Yes on Proposition 82 Campaign, Palo Alto, CA; Jesus Arredondo, Republican spokesman, No on Proposition 82 Campaign, Sacramento, CA.

MAY FIRST FIRINGS. Civil rights lawyers have received a number of reports from workers who complain they were fired after taking the day off to join immigrant-rights rallies on May 1. A woman in Lodi became the first to file a formal complaint in California over employer retaliation.

Guests:

Sandra Carreno, plaintiff, Stockton, CA; Matthew Goldberg, lead attorney, Employment Law Center, Legal Aid Society, San Francisco.

PROBLEMAS DEL APRENDIZAJE. Transmitido en colaboración con KQED, la radio pública de San Francisco, este programa echa un vistazo a las necesidades de la creciente población de niños con discapacidades del aprendizaje tales como la dislexia y el autismo. ¿Cómo identificar a un estudiante que está en riesgo de sufrir una deshabilidad del aprendizaje? ¿Cuáles son las barreras a las que se enfrentan los estudiantes bilingües que aprenden inglés y tienen problemas del aprendizaje? Este programa también ofrece consejos útiles para que los padres puedan navegar el sistema de educación especial. Padres de familia radioyentes llaman desde California, Pensilvania y Washington para reportar problemas al tratar con el sistema escolar.

Invitadas:

Inés Kuperschmit, Directora, Litigación y Defensa Legal, Learning Rights Law Center, Los Angeles; Araceli Simeón Luna, Directora de la Alianza Nacional de Padres y Escuelas, MALDEF, Los Angeles.

TEXAS EDITION – “FROM CRADLE TO CAREER.” Researchers ranked U.S. states according to the chances for success for their children. The report gave Virginia high marks claiming that in that state children are most likely to become well-educated adults with high-paying jobs, while children born in New Mexico would be least likely to succeed. Texas is also at the bottom of this list. This program takes a look at education and other services that help improve chances for children to succeed in life.

TEXAS EDITION – HIGH-ACHIEVING SCHOOLS. This is a conversation with Héctor Sánchez, policy analyst with The Education Trust, Inc. in Washington, DC, on exemplary schools that have shown remarkable success in educating low-income students and students of color to achieve high academic levels.

Major civil rights organizations are coming together to urge for the improvement of high school education for communities of color. The Campaign for High School Equity pledges to fight for federal, state and local policies that help prepare students of color for graduation, college, work, and life. A leader in this historic alliance also comments on the prospects to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act.

Guest: Peter Zamora, Legislative staff attorney, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, MALDEF, Washington, DC, www.maldef.org

ALSO, INTEGRATION PLANS REJECTED. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected plans in two major school districts that considered race when assigning students to schools. How will this decision impact desegregation and diversity in the nation’s schools?

Guest: María Blanco, executive director, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, San Francisco, CA, www.lccr.com

A bill to renew the No Child Left Behind Act includes Latino advocates recommendations for funding of programs to improve assessment of English Language Learner students. These students are reportedly underperforming on almost every measure of academic performance. Poor quality of tests and poor accountability from schools for their learning are some of the reported problems.

In this pre-taped edition from San Juan, PR, WRTU’s Wanda Colón Cortés, brings news and analysis on major developments in the Caribbean basin.

SUNI PAZ: PEOPLE’S SINGER AND EDUCATOR. This is a conversation with veteran folksinger and songwriter Suni Paz on her recent album ‘Bandera Mía’, a collection of Argentine folk rhythms and her memory book titled ‘Destellos y Sombras’. She also premieres her arrangement

Corrido de la Educación, a tune from the Chicano movement adapted to the current cry for literacy/excellence in education. This dialogue with a long-time advocate of bilingual, multicultural families, is the prologue for Línea Abierta’s festive kick off of a year-long series to help Latino kids use their best cultural values to make it through college.

MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT THE EDUCATION OF LATINOS. This program discusses

prevailing beliefs about Latinos and education, including the notion that Latino parents don't have high expectations for their kids education and speaking Spanish at home confuses children. Parents are encouraged to comment on popular perceptions about Latino families. Expert guests share findings from their studies. This program kicks off the one-year-long series “Diploma en Mano,” a radio call-in show for parents to help their kids make it through college.

Guests: Dr. Concha Delgado-Gaitan, professor emeritus at University of California Davis, anthropologist, author of numerous books on immigrant families and communities, El Cerrito, CA; Dr. Magaly Lavadenz, Director of Bilingual and Biliteracy Program, Loyola-Marymount University, Los Angeles; Gabriel Medel, Director, Parents for Unity, Los Angeles, CA.

www.californiatomorrow.org

This program discusses prevailing beliefs about Latinos and education, including the notion that Latino parents don't have high expectations for their kids education and speaking Spanish at home confuses children. Parents are encouraged to comment on popular perceptions about Latino families. Expert guests share findings from their studies. This program kicks off the one-year-long series “Diploma en Mano,” a radio call-in show for parents to help their kids make it through college.

TEXAS EDITION – LATINO BUSINESS. Richard Perez has become the first Latino president and CEO in the history of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Pérez owns and manages a family-owned business, is a former city councilman, and worked for the Clinton Administration in the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. He joins this edition to comment on issues of urban planning, including affordable housing, sprawl, long commutes and transportation systems, job growth, free trade policies, and support for Latino small business.

PRESCHOOL FOR ALL – Educators say children benefit greatly from an early learning experience. It helps them graduate or keep them out of jail. In recent years, California, Illinois, Arizona, and other states have considered initiatives for universal preschool and presidential candidates are including this issue in their platforms. Recognized researchers comment on the needs of current preschool programs and discuss ways parents can get involved in early education.

Guests: Dr. Eugene García, Vice President for University-School Partnerships, Chairman for the National Taskforce on Early Childhood Education for Hispanics, Former dean and professor of Education for Arizona State University’s College of Education, Phoenix, AZ; Antonia López, Director, Early Care and Education, National Council of La Raza, Washington, DC,
www.nclr.org

TEXAS EDITION – LATINO PHYSICIST. This is an interview with Dr. Jorge López, chair of the Department of Physics at the University of Texas, El Paso. Dr. López was recently designated fellow at the American Physical Society in recognition to his remarkable work in the area of theoretical physics and his promotion of science in Latin America.

TEXAS EDITION – U.S. READING WOES. A bilingual education expert talks about the reading proficiency challenges faced by students in the U.S. school system. Dr. Margarita Calderón, an expert on English-language learners, joins this program. Calderón is a native of Juárez, Mexico, currently working as a senior research scientist and professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Education. She also works with the National Literacy Panel and the International Reading Association.

TEXAS EDITION – U.S. READING WOES. A bilingual education expert talks about the reading proficiency challenges faced by students in the U.S. school system. Dr. Margarita Calderón, an expert on English-language learners, joins this program. Calderón is a native of Juárez, Mexico, currently working as a senior research scientist and professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Education. She also works with the National Literacy Panel and the International Reading Association.

TEXAS EDITION – HIDDEN MALNUTRITION. This is a conversation with Jorge Rosenthal, from the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Rosenthal talks about his research in Central America on the impact of micronutrient deficiencies, a hidden form of malnutrition and a serious public health scourge. His research also includes communities in need of immunization along the U.S.-Mexico border.

EDICIÓN TEXAS – HORA DE SOLICITAR ENTRADA A LA UNIVERSIDAD. En muchas universidades de Estados Unidos esta es la temporada para solicitar ser admitido. En este programa, un funcionario de admisiones universitarias ofrece consejos a padres de estudiantes que cursan su último año de preparatoria, acerca de cómo planear y prepararse para la universidad, cumplir con las fechas límites de solicitud, encontrar ayuda financiera y becas, y evitar los errores frecuentes en las solicitudes de admisión a la universidad. Esta edición es parte de la serie sobre educación de Línea Abierta, “Diploma en Mano”.

Invitados: Encarnación Ruiz, director de admisiones, Universidad de California, Merced; Jorge Aguilar, Director, Center for Educational Partnerships, UC Merced.

Community colleges are the leading pathway to higher education in the U.S. This system is the choice of preference for Latino and Black students. While California remains the least expensive place to get a community college education in the nation, the state and Virginia had the largest increases in tuition and fees.

College students from one of the poorest and least educated areas of Washington State have won national recognition as top entrepreneurs. This group of young farm workers from Heritage University in Toppenish has won national contests by developing business plans that would create economic opportunities for their community.

TEXAS EDITION - CHESS HAVEN. The University of Texas, Brownsville has been attracting a number of young Latin American immigrant talents by offering full chess scholarships. Some students have become internationally-known grandmasters, the highest title a chess player can achieve. In this program, the trainer and two acclaimed student chess masters talk about their upbringing, their achievements and the benefits of the game for the intelectual development of the young and the not so young.

Guests: Gilberto Hernández, Grand Master, Three-time Mexican champion, Chess team trainer, University of Texas, Brownsville; Nadya Ortiz, International Master, Computer Science student, Best woman player in Colombia for the past four years; Luciana Morales, International Master, Communication Science student, Three-time Panamerican champion, First Peruvian player to qualify for World Chess Championship.

CESAR CHAVEZ HOLIDAY – PARENTS INVOLVED. Highly active parents talk about their efforts to improve their children’s education and help develop fully bilingual kids. They are also involved in efforts in Capitol Hill to get pro-education legislation passed. This program also includes a conversation with a leading educator on the role of education in current presidential campaigns.

TEXAS EDITION – CHALLENGING DROPOUT FACTORIES. Dismal high school graduation rates violate students’ constitutional rights to a high quality education. That’s the basis for an unprecedented lawsuit against a school district in Florida. This is the first legal challenge in the country focusing on the issue of low graduation rates. High school dropouts are more likely to be unemployed, in prison, and living in poverty. This program is an episode of the series “Diploma en Mano.”

Guests: Dr. Louie F. Rodríguez, Professor, Educational leadership and political science, College of Education, Florida International University, Miami, FL; Lisa Carmona, mother of student Andres, plaintiff, Fort Myers, FL; Andres, Middle school student; Lake Worth, FL.

STUDENT LOAN 'REDLINING'. As tuition fees rise and more students are forced into debt to pay for their education, the student loan industry faces increased examination. Still, the federal government has no system in place to find misconduct by lenders and protect student borrowers.

LATINO VOTERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT. Latino voters are often identified as concerned with immigration issues, education and the economy. But how much do they care about environmental issues such as Global Warming and Energy? This program explores the findings of a recent national poll sponsored by the Sierra Club.

Guest: Sergio Bendixen, President, Bendixen Associates, Coral Gables, FL.

ALSO, MORE DEATHS BLAMED ON SMOG. Scientists with air authorities in California have found that exposure to fine particles of smog lead to more premature death, hospitalizations and emergency room visits than previously thought. The new system to calculate the risk of premature death would be part of new state regulations.

Guest: Dr. Alvaro Alvarado, Toxicologist, Air pollution expert, Author of a study on PM 2.5 for the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Sacramento, CA.

REAL ID, "ANTI-AMERICAN" TEXTS AND A.G. KAWAMURA. Contributors from around the nation to join this program to file reports on major news developments. Topics include: a bill in Arizona that failed to ban textbooks with "anti-American" and "anti-European" teachings may be reintroduced next season; comments by California's Secretary of Agriculture A.G.

UNLOCKING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. Promoters of parent involvement in public schools give practical information on how to learn key facts about their children's high schools and how to initiate campaigns to bring equity and equality to their schools. The program also includes analysis on useful components of the No Child Left Behind Law and the mood of voters in the nation about spending on schools. This program is part of the series Diploma en Mano.

Guests: Claudia Vizcarra, Communications specialist, Institute for Democracy, Education and Access IDEA, University of California, Los Angeles, www.ucla-idea.org; Gloria Inzunza Franco, Development specialist, Mi Casa, Mi Universidad, Center for Language Minority Education and Research, Cal State University, Long Beach, www.clmer.csulb.edu; Maria Morfin, active parent, Migrant Parent Council, Toppenish, WA.

LEARNING BETTER IN SCHOOL. To improve student education and prepare students for highly demanding colleges, the school system needs first to pay attention to the relationship between the student and the teacher. An academic researcher discusses this and other topics.

Guest: Marcos Portales, Professor of English, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

ALSO, IN-STATE TUITION. A California court questioned the validity of a state law that allows all high school graduates, including undocumented students, to pay in-state college tuition. Although the law remains in effect, the court decision has created confusion among immigrant families. A lawyer challenging the court decision clarifies this issue.

Guest: Gladys Limon, Staff attorney, MALDEF, Los Angeles, CA.

CREATING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. Less than 60 percent of African American, Latino, and Native American students graduate from high school on time. Arguing that this graduation gap threatens the nation's global competitiveness and economic security, a coalition of leading civil rights groups is urging the federal government to do more to ensure resources for schools and to hold high schools accountable for student achievement. As President Obama raises hopes and expectations for improvements in education, this program analyzes the educational benefits included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Guests:

Hector Flores, Former national president, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), www.lulac.org, Director of Inter-Governmental Affairs, Dallas Independent School District, Dallas, TX

Ana Sol Gutierrez, Maryland State Delegate, NALEO Educational Fund, Annapolis, Maryland, www.naleo.org/naleoeducationalfund.html

STIMULUS EDUCATION REFORMS. A new coalition advocating for under-achieving students is calling on states and school districts to use the billions in federal stimulus funding in education reform that leads to real student achievement. Are schools already getting the checks? How to strengthen schools, prevent teachers layoffs, improve teachers performance and help students succeed in college? Newsmakers are being invited to comment on this issue.

Guests:

Raul González, Spokesperson, Coalition for Student Achievement, Senior Legislative Director, National Council of La Raza (NCLR), Washington, D.C.

ALSO, TOUR DE DREAMS. A group of college activists is organizing a 500-mile bike tour in California to help undocumented students to access college education and drum public support for the DREAM Act, a legislative bill that seeks a path to legalization for young mmigrants.

Adriana Sánchez, Student, Club DIAS -CSU Fresno, Fresno, CA

NEW PUBLIC MEDIA SERVICE FOR L.A. LATINOS. Radio Bilingüe announces a new, groundbreaking public media service for young Latinos and underserved audiences in Los Angeles. Hugo Morales, the public radio network’s executive director, names the leading members of the creative team.

Guest: Hugo Morales, Executive Director, Radio Bilingüe, www.radiobilingue.org.

ALSO, LOVE FOR READING. A majority of Latino children in fourth grade could not read at grade level. These students are most at risk of dropping out of school in the future. An educator talks about how critical it is to develop the language skills and a love of reading for pre-school children.

Guest: Elisa Bupara, Communications Director, First 5 California, Sacramento, CA, www.first5california.com

ALL OUR DAUGHTERS. Up to six out of every ten women in the world experience physical or sexual violence at one time in their lives, according to the United Nations. This program, hosted by San Francisco Bay Area collaborator, Chelis Lopez, looks at some of the ways women are marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, including a community healing and arts performance entitled “They Are All Our Daughters! /¡Todas Son Nuestras Hijas!”

Guest: MamaCoAtl, Activist and artist,
San Francisco, CA, http://www.myspace.com/mamacoatl

CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE. California is said to be key to closing the digital divide, with tens of thousands of square miles without internet connection, and millions of urban poor and disadvantaged communities lacking the computers and affordable connections to the Internet. Radio listeners are encouraged to call in and share their needs and challenges they face to getting online.

Guest: Luis Arteaga, Director of Emerging Markets, California Emerging Technology Fund, San Francisco, CA. www.cetfund.org

TIPS FOR GETTING ONLINE. What are the first steps to using a computer to get connected to the world-wide-web? How can listeners use the internet to access information about employment, research news, or communicate with others? Digital literacy instructors join the show to give rural and urban listeners’ advice on how to use the internet to their advantage.

Guests: Steven Renderos, Media Justice Organizer, Main Street Project, Minneapolis, MN; Álvaro Sanabria, Third Floor Manager, General Collections and Humanities, San Francisco Main Public Library, San Francisco, CA.

CREATING YOUR OWN WEBPAGE. In an age where people turn to the internet for entertainment, news, to pay their bills and do their shopping, even small businesses and independent contractors, domestic workers and gardeners need their own webpages. This program includes interviews with workers who have created their own webpages and the people who are helping them design the sites. This is part of our ongoing series “Conéctate”, to help reduce the digital divide and increase high speed internet connections for all.

Guests: Alma Rodriguez, Coordinator, Caminos, San Francisco, CA. www.caminossf.org/ ; Diana Medina, Owner, Diju Jewelry, San Francisco, CA; Erica Castillo, Student and instructor, Caminos, San Francisco, CA. www.caminossf.org

WIKILEAKS: WAR SECRETS REVEALED. The website Wikileaks recently published more than 90,000 classified documents about the war in Afghanistan, detailing hundreds of unreported deaths of civilians killed by Coalition forces, increases in Taliban attacks, and hunts for Taliban leaders for “kill or capture” without trial. The leak is controversial, but it’s underscoring a deeper question: how is the internet revolutionizing what records can be kept secret? This program is part of our series “Conéctate,” on the internet and the digital divide.

Guests: Axel Caballero, Spokesperson, Brave New Foundation, Culver City, CA. www.bravenewfoundation.org ; Eric Rojo, Retired Colonel, Washington, D.C; Patricio Espinoza, Fellow, Knight Digital Media Center, San Antonio, TX. www.knightdigitalmediacenter.org

YOUTH VOICES ON THE WEB. It’s not often that you read or hear Latino youth voices in mainstream media. Two different projects, in El Paso, Texas, and Chicago, IL, empower Latino teens to write their own stories and put them on the web. In El Paso, Latinitas is the first digital magazine made for and by Latina youth. In Chicago, a group of Latino immigrant youth are creating theater productions and radionovelas that they upload to the internet to help their communities make better health decisions.

Guests: Marisol Guzmán, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, Latinitas, El Paso, TX, www.latinitasmagazine.org ; Eliana Grijalva, Reporter, Latinitas, El Paso, TX, www.latinitasmagazine.org ; Ireri Unzueta, Member, Salud: Healing Through the Arts, Chicago, IL, newroutes.org/projects/salud ; Adriana Velásquez, Member, Salud: Healing Through the Arts, Chicago, IL, newroutes.org/projects/salud

BACK TO SCHOOL BUDGET CUTS. State and local budget cuts are affecting elementary through high school education across the country. Students in California have bigger class sizes, fewer teachers, and limited access to school libraries and computer labs, and their classrooms have fewer basic supplies, placing the burden on parents to buy pencils, paper, books, and other supplies.

Guests: Dr. Santiago Wood, Executive Director, National Association for Bilingual Education, Miami, FL. www.nabe.org ; Sara Echeverria, Director, Grievance Department, Chicago Teachers Union, Chicago, IL. www.ctunet.com ; Maria Casillas, President, Families in Schools, Los Angeles, CA. www.familiesinschools.org