Research Report

As the dual language learner (DLL) population increases, teachers with and without knowledge of a child’s first language and culture are faced with how best to effectively interact with and educate a rapidly growing segment of the child population.  Teachers’ knowledge of first- and second-language acquisition, the role of culture in learning, and, very importantly, the role of language for a child’s healthy socioemotional functioning are key components influencing teacher behavior.  How effective teachers are with dual language learners has enormous implications not only for the educational progression of dual language children, but also for the broader economic well-being of... Read More

NCLR created the Latino Empowerment and Advocacy Program (LEAP) in 2001 to strengthen the nonpartisan foundation for greater Latino participation in the political process. Read More

"¿A Dónde Vamos?:  Directions for Culturally Relevant Latino Community Involvement in HIV/AIDS Prevention and Services Research," a report produced by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), provides an extensive analysis of the growing HIV/AIDS crisis among Latino subgroups in the U.S., incorporating existing literature, findings from numerous community-based organizations, and data collected from government agencies.  Furthermore, it offers a contextual understanding of the Hispanic HIV/AIDS crisis that includes social, cultural, and structural-environmental factors.  The report concludes with recommendations for the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS through contextualized community-based participatory research and service provision in partnership with the... Read More

Latino families, like millions of others across the United States, do their best to put nutritious food on their tables every day, but the healthiest foods are too often unaffordable or inaccessible.  Many Americans struggle to buy enough food for everyone in the family, and sometimes that means choosing cheaper food that is filling, but less nutritious.  Access to healthy foods is often at the crux of child hunger and childhood obesity—both problems that plague the Latino community.  About 38% of Latino children are considered to be overweight or obese, giving Latinos some of the highest child obesity rates in... Read More

Educational attainment is one of the strongest predictors of future earnings. However, for 42 percent of the country’s Latino youth, this traditional pathway to economic mobility is fraught with challenges. This report profiles the disconnected youth pilot of the NCLR Escalera Program: Taking Steps to Success which addresses the obstacles faced by young Hispanics. Read More

With childhood hunger and obesity recently reaching peak levels in the United States, policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels have recognized that the health of future generations is contingent upon improving the nutritional status of American families.  Addressing the unique needs of the Latino population will be an integral part of any strategy to promote and improve child nutrition.  NCLR hopes to inform the national discussion by providing insight into trends within the Latino community. Read More

Adult education services, including education for those lacking basic literacy and numeracy, preparation for the high school equivalency diploma, and English-as-a-second-language courses, play a crucial role in bridging the basic skills gap for Latinos and other workers with limited formal education and training.  With recent policy and program shifts focusing on preparing low-skill adults for the demands of work and continued learning, integrated training programs—programs that provide vocational training and teach basic skills and/or the English language simultaneously—have emerged as a promising method for improving the learning and earnings outcomes of participants.  With a focus on the accessibility of integrated... Read More

Based on the literature review and outline prepared by Tara Hacker and Britt Rios-Ellis.  In 2007, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) partnered with Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals to create educational materials that would raise awareness about the importance of maintaining overall cardiovascular health, including healthy cholesterol levels, among the Latino population.  To kick off the partnership, NCLR hosted a meeting with various NCLR Affiliates and found that additional information was needed to identify the knowledge, awareness, and behaviors of the Hispanic community with regard to cholesterol and heart disease.  The findings of that summit, NCLR's own experience with the topic,... Read More

This handbook is designed for school counselors, student advocates, and secondary students, in particular those who are undocumented.  Although the legislative information provided varies by state, the generic academic, fundraising, and extracurricular tips are applicable to a typical high school audience. Read More

Chapter 6: Rebuilding Job Quality for Latinos and All Workers.  As this report has shown, the Latino workforce as a whole faces immense disparities in job quality compared to their peers.  Indeed, much consideration and policy debate must be devoted to raising the level of employer-based health and retirement plan coverage among Latinos.  Yet by focusing on protecting the wages and the workplace safety of low-wage and immigrant workers, it is possible to take steps to improve job quality for all workers. Read More