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Film Featuring Latino Superintendents and Administrators Advocates Value of Networking, Advocacy, and Mentoring for Student Performance

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- In Familia: Action, Support, and Leadership, a new short film from The Pearson Foundation, Latino educators from some of California's largest school districts and the California Dept. of Education discuss their ongoing commitment to helping students achieve academic success through their work in the California Association for Latino Superintendents and Administrators. The film was launched at the CALSA annual meeting, held Nov. 7-9 inSan Diego.

Familia: Action, Support, and Leadership features the following educational leaders:

    --  Dr. Fernando Elizondo, Executive Director, CALSA
    --  Dr. Arturo Delgado, Superintendent, San Bernardino Unified School
        District and past CALSA President
    --  Dr. David Gomez, Superintendent, Santa Paula Union High School District,
        and founding CALSA Vice President
    --  Yvette Irving, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, San Jose Unified
        School District, and : CALSA Mentor and Protege
    --  Dr. Ken Magdaleno, Assistant Professor, California State University,
        Fresno and CALSA Director, Mentor Program
    --  Dr. Thelma Melendez, Superintendent, Pomona Unified School District and
        President Elect: CALSA
    --  Dr. Tony Monreal, Deputy Superintendent, California State Department of
        Education and CALSA past President
    --  Dr. Darline Robles, Superintendent, Los Angeles County Office Of 
        Education
    --  Dr. Roberto Salinas, CALSA President

These educators describe the importance of networking, advocacy, and mentoring, which are the "trinity" used by CALSA members to help Latino students close the achievement gap, according to Dr. Monreal. "It's always about that teaching and learning aspect that keeps us moving in the right direction," he said.

"CALSA gives voice to a discussion that is greatly needed in the public arena, about the best way to create effective Latino educators and school leaders of other ethnic backgrounds," said Fernando Elizondo, CALSA's Executive Director. "And through this discussion, we hope to serve as an example to others across the United States."

All CALSA members will receive the film Familia: Action, Support, and Leadership through a grant from The Pearson Foundation. To view Familia: Action, Support, and Leadership, click the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7CQLuESYts

"When education's leaders speak in their own voices about the problems they face and the solutions they create, we all see how inspiration drives public education in the United States," said Mark Nieker, president of the Pearson Foundation. "Familia: Action, Support, and Leadership demonstrates the ongoing commitment of Pearson to quality education and educational leadership in the State of California."

Other short films from the Foundation include Education is a Civil Right, created with the National Association of Black School Educators (NABSE), and Learning to Change: Changing to Learn, created with the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). To view Familia: Action, Support, and Leadership, and other Foundation films on educational leadership, visit www.pearsonfoundation.org.

About CALSA

The California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators is a community of educational leaders whose mission is working to increase the number of successful Latino/Latina administrators, committed to closing the Latino/Latina student achievement gap. CALSA achieve its mission by: advocating on behalf of Latino children; providing opportunities for professional development and career enhancement; and promoting the success of current and future leaders.

About the Pearson Foundation

The Pearson Foundation extends Pearson's (NYSE: PSO) commitment to education by partnering with leading nonprofit, civic, and business organizations to provide financial, organizational, and publishing assistance across the globe. The Foundation aims to make a difference by sponsoring innovative educational programs and extending its educational expertise to help in classrooms and in local communities. More information on the Pearson Foundation can be found at www.pearsonfoundation.org.

SOURCE The Pearson Foundation