"After two years as a PALMS site, there's definitely more of an interest in postsecondary education from our entire student body, and our staff is more aware of the importance of providing support." About PALMS
A report by the Education Commission of the States1 reveals that, among those of eligible age, only 15% of the Latino population earns a postsecondary degree, and an astounding 48% have less than a high school credential. The PALMS (Postsecondary Access for Latino Middle-grades Students) project was created in response to this crisis in educational attainment.
We focus on the middle grades—which serve youth ages 10 to 14—because it is during this time that students make choices and develop the knowledge and skills that can take them through high school and beyond. For students who are the first in their families to attend college, early planning and preparation is especially important.
With generous support from Lumina Foundation for Education, PALMS began in 2004 as a partnership between Education Development Center (EDC), LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC), and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. The goal of the project is to increase the number of Latinos that pursue an education beyond high school.
We hope to impact the work of secondary schools, college access programs, and community-based organizations that serve Latino students and their families. To achieve our goals, we develop practical, research-based resources to assist practitioners in their efforts to promote Latino postsecondary enrollment. PALMS staff have also provided online and face-to-face training to school leaders working to strengthen their family outreach programs.
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1. Sandra S. Ruppert, Closing the College Participation Gap: A National Summary. (Denver, CO: Education Commission of the States, October 2003), p. 8c.
