Abstract:

This presentation will cover equity issues as they are evident in education reforms in the United States and its territories. Dr. Carmen Sanjurjo will discuss education reforms that have promoted equity or that have reinforced inequity for students of poverty and minorities in the United States and Puerto Rico. Comparisons between both educational systems, the U.S. and P.R. in terms of education reforms, such as Magnet schools, Charter schools, ESL and programs for students of poverty and minorities will also be mentioned. Results of a comparative study between the U.S. and Puerto Rico’s public school systems will be included in the presentation. The section presented by Dr. Jan Perry Evenstad will be about immigration and its effects in the public school system. Current school reforms in the United States need to address the changing demographics of the student population. Many of the new students are recent refugees and immigrants to the U.S. Educators need to know and be aware of the rights to a free and appropriate education that immigrants and refugees have the right to receive as stated in Civil Rights laws, no matter their legal status in the country.

Keywords:

Equity, Diversity, Education, Public School Reforms, Immigration.