GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
S	1
SENATE BILL 810
     

 
Short Title:	Programs for At-Risk Hispanic Students.	()	
Sponsors:	Senators Martin of Guilford; and Kinnaird.	
Referred to:	Appropriations/Base Budget.	
April 3, 2001

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide mentoring programs and summer programs for at-risk hispanic students.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the State Board of Education the sum of ninety-six thousand dollars ($96,000) for the 2001-2002 fiscal year. These funds shall be used for the operation, in cooperation with the Wake County Public Schools, of programs to assist Hispanic students. Of these funds, the sum of fifty-seven thousand dollars ($57,000) shall be allocated to the Latin American Resource Center (LARC) and the sum of thirty-nine thousand dollars ($39,000) shall be allocated to North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals (NCSHP). These funds shall be used for the operation of:
(1)	The DIALOGO Program, operated by LARC, provides interactive models for school-age children on understanding and appreciating cross-cultural differences. The students are involved in classroom activities that incorporate exposure to cultural diversity and multidisciplinary approaches to foster positive learning experiences and cross-cultural interaction. The program's workshops involve persons of various racial and ethnic populations, genders and ages in self-reflection, dialogue, and other activities designed to foster positive human relations.
(2)	The Bilingual Mentoring Program, operated by NCSHP, shall be a one-year demonstration program offered to middle and high school Hispanic students.
The Program shall (i) encourage and assist Hispanic students to remain in and excel in school; (ii) encourage and assist Hispanic students in developing interest and pursuing careers in science, engineering, and other growing and promising areas; (iii) provide direct exposure to various fields of study and related work environments; (iv) introduce students for whom English is a second language (ESL students) to the basic skills, language, and culture of the public school system; (v) provide one-on-one assistance and support for Hispanic students who are not performing well in school; and (vi) provide assistance to and support for parents in family management and in addressing factors that can negatively affect their children’s behavior and academic performance.
(3)	A summer camp program at two school sites by the NCSHP. The purpose of this program shall be to serve the needs of nonmigrant Hispanic English Language Learner (ELL) students in grades K-5. The program shall be designed to assist those students in acquiring and developing skills in reading, mathematics, writing, speaking, and cross-cultural communication. The camp shall provide field trips and other activities for the students.
(4)	A summer program operated jointly by LARC and NCSHP. This program shall combine the resources and benefits of both the DIALOGO Program and the summer camp operated by NCSHP. Students participating in the summer program at one of the summer-camp sites shall benefit from both the DIALOGO Program and the summer camp approaches and experiences.
SECTION 2.  LARC and NCSHP shall evaluate the operation of each of these three programs to determine how each can be made more effective. This evaluation shall include an assessment of the impact of the programs on student success with regard to academic performance, behavior, and cultural competence. To the extent reasonably possible, post-program progress and success of the participants shall be monitored in an effort to assess longer-term impact.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2001.