2022 ILI Community Conversation Report: Indiana's Untapped Potenial

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INDIANA LATINO

INDIANA'S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: INTRODUCTION

In January 2022, the Indiana Latino Institute (ILI) received funding from the Joyce Foundation to bolster Latino Hoosier voices in policy by strengthening ILI's advocacy arm The Joyce Foundation invests in evidence informed public policies and strategies to advance racial equity and economic mobility for the next generation in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

This grant has boosted connectivity among Latino communities by allowing ILI to conduct seven statewide community conversations with over 220 attendees and a statewide survey reaching 165 community members in 23 Indiana counties ILI developed this community report to reflect the current issues and provide insight into the communities' voices and recommendations for future success Thank you to the Joyce Foundation for their contribution and efforts to advance racial equity and economic mobility in Indiana

This report is an effort to elevate Latinos by amplifying the voices of seven communities across the state In Indiana, the Latino community consists of over 500,000 individuals and growth is expected to continue consistently As the Indiana Latino population increases, elected leaders must recognize and address critical issues that impact our community

ILI urges Indiana leadership to take critical action in serving the largest growing student population by addressing the following issues impacting Latino student success: access to affordable higher education, access to information in their native language, and representation/culturally responsive institutions

Thank you to our statewide partners who championed this work and helped connect our organizations with over 200 Latino educators and community members This work was only possible with the shared goal of elevating our Latino community and increasing access to education

As a trusted voice for the Indiana Latino community, ILI must continue to move forward in all its organizational efforts We hope that you will join us in our work

Marlene Dotson President & CEO

Indiana Latino Institute

Sincerely,

INDIANA'S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: DEMOGRAPHICS

With over 20 years of service, ILI has built a presence in the community through its work increasing access to higher education According to the US Census Bureau, 51% of the Indiana Latino population is 24 years old and under [1]. In Indiana, Latino individuals represent the youngest population group. Furthermore, Hispanic student enrollment represents 13.2% of total public school enrollment in Indiana, and 51% of Hispanic students were classified as English Language Learners in 2014 [2]. The Hispanic population is increasing throughout the state, and Central Indiana has seen the fastest growth. Indianapolis has the most significant number of Latinos in the state, and their population accounts for almost 10% of Marion County's total population. As the Latino population grows, there needs to be intentional programming to support this population in navigating higher education and entering the workforce.

INDIANA'S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: THE DATA

WHAT THE DATA SHOWS

In the past decade, Latino students have made gains in the “Pre K to 16” educational pipeline; however, preliminary reports point to the coronavirus pandemic reversing many of those advances Investments in education at all levels will help restore gains, increase Latino Hoosiers' educational attainment and close equity gaps While Latinos/Hispanics make up about 8% of the total population of Indiana, they make up over 13% of those enrolled in K 12 public schools. Additionally, K 12 schools are now enrolling nearly 68,000 English language learners requiring additional academic support. After conducting seven community conversations and a statewide survey reaching over 23 Indiana counties, ILI can confidently say that the following issues are negatively impacting Latino student success: access to affordable higher education, access to information in their native language, and representation/ culturally responsive institutions. The word access was used over 30 times when responding to the survey question, “What are the most pressing education challenges Latinos face in your community?” Indiana must address its access problem with a sense of urgency to serve its fastest growing student demographic.

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REPRESENTATION IN EDUCATION

Across the state, the conversation of representation and lack of Latino educators and staffing was a common narrative. The topic of diversity in education came up in all 7 community conversations With Latino students comprising 13 2% of Indiana’s K 12 students, Latino teachers make up less than 2% of the teaching force [4] Research shows that students of color do better when taught by educators from similar backgrounds, but in 2019 more than 40% of Latino students in Indiana attended a school with no Latino teachers [5].

ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION

The conversation of student success cannot be had without a thoughtful discussion on access to funding and the cost of higher education Almost all of the 165 ILI survey respondents mention cost of education as a barrier to Latino student success in Indiana. Every qualifying high school graduate can see how much they would be eligible to receive in federal financial aid by filing the FAFSA. However, without the necessary information and support, many Indiana students do not file the FAFSA During the 2021/2022 cycle, only about one third of Indianapolis Public School students filed the FAFSA according to the US Department of Education [6] FAFSA completion is a barrier for Latino students due to the lack of information provide in Spanish and the lack of comfort and vital information provided to mixed status households.

In Indiana, college and postsecondary degrees are not accessible to all According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Indiana is one of three states with legislation specifically prohibiting offering in state tuition rates and state financial aid to immigrant students not legally residing in the state. This makes college unaffordable for thousands of undocumented people in Indiana

LANGUAGE ACCESS

About 68,000 K-12 students in IN public schools

(6.6%) are ELL learners

With over 68,000 English Language Learners in Indiana’s public school system, it is no surprise that language access was a top issue presented by ILI survey participants and at the ILI Community Conversations. Participants shared that ELL supports are minimal across the state and do not adequately prepare students for higher education.

Lack of resources for English Language Learners does not stop at the student

If Indiana is advocating for increased post secondary enrollment, we need to see an increase in access to college enrollment information in native language to empower parents to support their students through the process. This goes beyond the Spanish speaking community.

Indiana Dept of Education

SUMMARIZED

SOUTH BEND

LATINO POPULATION

24,200 (8.92%) St. Joseph County

SUMMARIZED ISSUES PRESENTED

We need to allow more conversations about Identity

There needs to be more trust in the community like the trust the community has with La Casa Amistad

We need to rethink how we do school

South Bend/ILEARN data

Shows that kids are falling behind

How can we build a system that is collaborative? – how can we have rigor for our Latino students?

As a community we need to introduce college earlier

We need to push IU GROUPS/Bridge programs

There needs to be more mentorship

Not enough ELL support

Not enough Pre-K options

There is still racism within our education systems

SUMMARIZED ISSUES PRESENTED

STATEWIDE SURVEY

Q: High school students in my city/town are prepared to attend and be successful in college.

41% of survey responses

Disagree Disagree or Strongly Disagree that: high school students in my city/town are prepared to attend and be successful in college.

Q: Middle and high school guidance counselors are informed when it comes to supporting undocumented students.

Q: My city/town welcomes and celebrates its Latino presence.

59%

Over of survey responses

Strongly Disagree that middle and high school guidance counselors are informed when it comes to supporting undocumented students

50%

Over of survey responses

Agree or Strongly Agree that their town or city welcomes and celebrates its Latino presence.

INDIANA'S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: RECOMMENDATIONS

ILI RECOMMENDATIONS

In keeping with its mission to improve health and advance education for Latino Hoosiers through statewide advocacy, research, and culturally responsive programs, the Indiana Latino Institute promotes policy proposals in education, and other areas impacting the Latino community In addition to the community conversations and statewide survey, a board committee and an advisory council composed of Latino Hoosiers across the state assist in identifying and prioritizing critical policy issues. ILI contributes to and amplifies the Indiana Latino voice in the policy discourse at the federal, state, and local levels

With over 20 years of experience serving the Indiana Latino community, ILI's stand for education access was affirmed through this initiatve. Investments should be made to attract qualified teachers, diversify the state’s pool of teachers, and expand support services for Latino students as they navigate advanced coursework, college applications, and financial aid. This will set more Latino students on the path to postsecondary degree attainment and lead to good quality jobs

Most available Indiana jobs require postsecondary credentials; expanding student financial aid and rewarding colleges for graduating more Latino students will increase educational attainment levels among Latino Hoosiers There needs to be accountability for degree completion to best serve the Latino community

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INDIANA'S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: RECOMMENDATIONS

REPRESENTATION IN EDUCATION

LEGISLATION AND POLICY SOLUTION

We echo the Education Trust and Teach Plus in calling for Indiana to recruit and retain teachers of color by improving compensation packages and implementing other proven talent recruitment strategies more effectively and intentionally [3]. We advocate for the Indiana Legislature to increase existing scholarship programs targeting educators of color and evaluate existing program requirements to ensure that they are serving the needs of Indiana’s workforce

COMMUNITY SOLUTION

As it currently stands, most Indiana student teachers do not receive payment for their work We are advocating for communities and higher education institutions to seek solutions to pay student teachers livable wages. ILI does not support the continued practice of unpaid teaching at the expense of young teaching candidates ILI applauds institutions who have created residency programs allowing for teacher candidates to be paid for their work.

AND

LEGISLATION AND POLICY SOLUTION

Adjust the “Complexity Index” to increase funding levels for English Language Learners (ELL): Throughout Indiana, school districts are enrolling more indigent and immigrant Latino students requiring additional academic support from cash strapped schools and underprepared staff. Increasing funding will improve academic outcomes by implementing proven effective and culturally appropriate strategies for Latino learners.

COMMUNITY SOLUTION

With the support of ILI and like organizations we encourage communities to provide access to higher education workshops in Spanish and hold institutions accountable for providing information in multiple native languages Across the state we heard from various communities that K 12 and higher education institutions fail to include the parents and family as part of the enrollment process. We advocate for increased parent engagement and information offered in native language(s)

As it currently stands, educators interested in pursuing teaching ELL students must acquire an additional certification This means they must have a bachelors and teaching credential and then return for ELL certification. Currently, there is not funding allocated directly to support this certification Under legislation, by the year 2023, schools must have a certified ELL teacher of record for every 30 students [4] ILI advocates for state funding towards certification for current teachers and an encouragement for Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to require all graduates to be dually certified at graduation with their general education and ELL certification or general education and SPED certification.

INDIANA'S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: RECOMMENDATIONS

ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE EDUCATION

LEGISLATION AND POLICY SOLUTION

Offer In-State Tuition for All Undocumented Postsecondary Students: Indiana is 1 of 3 states with legislation that prohibits offering in state tuition rates to undocumented students, not only making college unaffordable for hundreds of students but also dampening the collective college graduation aspirations that the Latino community has for its children States have the discretion to extend in-state tuition rates to undocumented students attending public colleges. ILI advocates for the General Assembly to make college more affordable for all immigrant students graduating from Indiana high schools.

COMMUNITY SOLUTION

For over a decade, Indiana House Bill 1402 (2011) raised the cost of higher education for undocumented immigrants, thereby making college enrollment insurmountably expensive for hundreds of Latino Hoosiers. As this population fights to overcome these costly barriers, available community resources private sector scholarships and other financial aid are insufficient. Some students have turned to predatory loan providers to finance their education ILI calls on higher education institutions, the business sector, and other stakeholders to support and advocate publicly for in state tuition for undocumented students ILI applauds private donors who make education an affordable option for undocumented students In some cases, private scholarships are the only available financial aid for an undocumented student in Indiana

INDIANA'S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: RECOMMENDATIONS

LATINO STUDENT SUCCESS

LEGISLATION AND POLICY SOLUTIONS

Increase 21st Century Scholars Participation: Financial constraints preclude more Latino students from entering and completing postsecondary education programs The generous 21st Century Scholars program supports indigent students through their four years in college However, the parents or guardians of qualified future college students must register for the scholarship while the students are in 7th or 8th grade As the program’s Latino student enrollment rate is disproportionately low, ILI proposes that eligible seventh and eighth grade students participating in the free and reduced lunch (FRL) program be automatically enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars program. If automatic enrollment is successful, resources previously used for enrollment can be put towards supporting Latino high school students in maintaining their 21st Century Scholars program eligibility through high school.

LEGISLATION AND POLICY SOLUTIONS

Increase Completion of Early College Credit: Completion of early college credit during high school increases the chances a student will enroll in college and be successful once enrolled. Advanced coursework that carries dual credit also saves students money by allowing them to complete college credits without being charged college tuition rates. ILI encourages schools to institute policies that enroll more Latino and Hispanic students in early college credit coursework and advocates for the State to provide necessary funding to attract qualified teachers and expand the capacity of advanced courses

LATINO STUDENT SUCCESS

LEGISLATION AND POLICY SOLUTIONS

Incentives

COMMUNITY SOLUTION

INDIANA'S UNTAPPED POTENTIAL: ABOUT ILI

INDIANA LATINO INSTITUTE

MISSION

Our mission is to improve health and advance education for the Indiana Latino community through statewide advocacy, research, and culturally responsive programs

VISION HISTORY

Our vision is to be the source of authority and catalyst for change on all aspects of Health and Education that affect the Indiana Latino Community.

The Indiana Latino Institute, Inc (ILI), a 501(c)3 non profit agency, is the only statewide organization of its kind committed to serving Latino communities in the state of Indiana Our organization was established in 2001 as a statewide effort to aid Latino serving organizations, at first committing much time, effort and energy specifically to health related programming. However, over the years, ILI has grown to address many issues of importance to Latino communities, including a continued concentration on health issues and educational programming, advocacy and leadership

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Indiana Latino Institute 2126 N Meridian St. #100 Indianapolis, IN 46202 P 317 472 1055 www.indianalatinoinstitute.org

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