PHBAO Fails to Meet Needs of Armenian Students at Monlux
Monlux Elementary is in North Hollywood, home to the fastest growing
Armenian population in the country; 60 percent of its student body is
Armenian. But these English language learners are missing out on key funding
and aid due to restrictive governmental classifications. Since the
Armenian population is officially classified as Caucasian, the students
don't get counted in the generic demographic surveys administered to qualify
for state or federal English language learner funding. Monlux, despite
having over 50% English language learners in its 700-student school, does
not qualify for programs, such as PHBAO (Predominantly Hispanic, Black,
Asian, and other Non- Anglo), that offer extra resources to combat low
achievement and provide culturally relevant training for parents, teachers,
and administrators. The school often feels overlooked, over worked and
overwhelmed due to its lack of resources. "I don't get certain things, get
overlooked for other things, but I get more than other schools at the same
time," Principal Alma Flores says, "But the extra resource would be nice for
our parents. Any little bit helps." And that little bit would go a long
way. "The people who work here make it work," added the energetic young
principal, who has been at the school two years, about her understaffed
team. If PHBAO funds were available, Monlux would get funding for extra
counselors, incentive stipends for recruiting and retaining qualified
teachers for Limited English Proficient students, and money for the School
Readiness Language Development Program (STLDP). Well-intentioned programs
like PHBAO offer tremendous resources to some schools, but its rules do not
reflect the English language learner realities of 2009. Given the recent
influx to LAUSD of Armenian students, as well as thousands of others from
the Middle East and Europe, this issue will continue to resonate. Tamar has
begun discussions with the Superintendent's office on lobbying for changes
in the rules of PHABO and similar federal and state programs to meet the
needs of all English Language Learner students at LAUSD.
From: Galatzan Gazette, November 19, 2009
