New Mexico State University Launches Bilingual-Literacy Project with Stocker Foundation Grant

Strategic Insights -

The New Mexico State University (NMSU) College of Education has received a $15,000 grant from the Stocker Foundation to launch a bilingual-literacy project. Led by associate professor Anita Hernandez, the project aims to promote bilingualism and bi-literacy among second- and third-grade students from Rio Grande Elementary and Garfield Elementary in the Hatch Public Schools. The project involves holding regular bilingual family literacy meetings, where families can share their life stories using bilingual and multicultural books. The goal is to promote two-way literacy engagement between bilingual families and school teachers/NMSU faculty, recognizing that children can lose their primary languages within one generation if not supported.

Key Takeaways:

  • The project is focused on promoting bilingualism and bi-literacy among second- and third-grade students in Hatch Public Schools, with the goal of preserving primary languages.
  • The project is funded by a $15,000 grant from the Stocker Foundation.
  • The project involves bilingual family literacy meetings, where families share life stories using bilingual and multicultural books.
  • The project team includes NMSU associate professors Anita Hernandez and Myriam Torres, as well as teachers Rosa Delgado, Rita Holguin, and Lorena Carmona.
  • The project aims to promote two-way literacy engagement between bilingual families and school teachers/NMSU faculty.

Statistics:

  • $15,000: The amount of the Stocker Foundation grant received by NMSU's College of Education.
  • 2-3 grades: The age range of students participating in the project.
  • 2 times per month: The frequency of bilingual family literacy meetings.
  • 4 teachers: The number of teachers involved in the project from Hatch Public Schools.
  • 3 NMSU faculty members: The number of NMSU faculty members involved in the project, including Anita Hernandez and Myriam Torres.

Sources:

  • [New Mexico State University press release, Jan. 2]