Bridges for Immigrant Children

All the passionate discussions about school overcrowding this year have pointed out the challenges inherent in educating California’s burgeoning immigrant population.

But in spite of the potential for chaos, there are a selected number of schools and organizations that are finding ways to make the public education system work for immigrant children.

And now, with the publication of “Bridges,” by the nonprofit organization California Tomorrow, there is a catalogue that lists the most promising of the state’s multicultural education programs.

“Bridges” includes several Los Angeles and Alhambra school programs that offer support for children making the transition to American life when they first arrive in this country, a model intergroup relations program offered at Irvine High School to students, faculty, parents and community members, and immigrant parent involvement programs throughout California. They are all programs that have proven successful. “Bridges” is a vehicle to spread the word to others who might want to emulate what works.

Not reinventing the wheel is a smart way to establish a solid educational foundation for the children of California’s future.