Service-Learning Pedagogy: A Method for Improving the Education of Latino Students in Charter Schools

Before collaborating together, schools must recognize the need to accept and appreciate the culture of the home and the student. Students come from various backgrounds with alternative beliefs which teachers and school administrators must learn to respect.  They must also learn to capitalize on these elements to ensure the student is maximizing their learning experiences. Instead, what we often see is a lopsided power structure initiated by teachers as they set parameters on students and parental involvement, rather than working together as a team to communicate a plan that works best for the student to engage in academic progress (Olivos, 2009). Teachers should be required to achieve certification in dealing with diverse populations. For example, if a school is heavily populated with Hispanic and Latino students, all teachers should become certified by taking classes on how to best serve a Latino student. Part of this training would involve identifying common barriers and challenges a Latino family must face before achieving academic success for their child. Assuming that teachers are aware of these issues, they are likely to find effective teaching methods that would be most appropriate for a Latino student.