The State of the State for Washington Latinos

This report examines legal and community barriers to Latino representation on city councils and school boards in ten Washington State counties. We studied three specific questions: What is the electoral history of Latino representation in Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Okanogan, Skagit, Walla Walla and Yakima counties from 1983 – 2011? What challenges have [...]

Our project examines the relationship between the experiences of English Language Learner (ELL) students and parents and the policies and practices of teachers and administrators in Walla Walla Public Schools. The main research questions we investigated were: a. How do the district’s policies for teaching English align with student, parent and teacher experiences and expectations? [...]

This report explores how human service and neighborhood-based organizations might best serve low-income residents. In partnership with Commitment 2 Community of Walla Walla, we assess the needs and characteristics of three low-income neighborhoods in this small rural city where many Latinos and non-Latinos alike live in poverty. We analyze the use of human services in [...]

State of the State Research visit Olympia

In increasing numbers, programs like the State of the State for Washington Latinos are growing at colleges and universities across the United States. When the University of Michigan added a semester program in Washington, D.C. to its academic offerings, some students asked, “Why not Detroit?” The city, famous for its industrial history and more recent [...]

On January 25th, State of the State researchers will travel to Olympia, Washington to speak with representatives from Walla Walla and Yakima. The purpose of this trip is to educate state policy makers about the key issues on which our research is focused this year: creating a just and fair immigration system, ensuring political representation and [...]

The latest census data reveals the increasing prevalence of poverty, shrinking of the middle class high and  high unemployment rates. Safety net programs are helping those in poverty, but for those who are low-income, but are not considered poor enough to qualify for safety net programs such as food stamps, work-related and medical expenses are [...]

Today, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments on SB1070, Arizona’s controversial immigration law. Justice Kagan recused herself from the case, leaving open the possibility of a 4-4 tie. In that case, the 9th Circuit’s ruling against the law would stand. Arguments will take place sometime before the end of June. Read the full story here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/12/arizona-immigration-law-supreme-court_n_1143112.html

From the Huffington Post: An increasing number of colleges and universities have taken a formal stance on undocumented students. Days before the University of Georgia vote was announced, a college thousands of miles away took an official stance on undocumented students by posting a brief announcement on its website. According to the website of Whitman College, [...]

Roll Call reports that the GOP is beginning to realize that Latinos are an increasingly potent political constituency. View the full story here: http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_71/Parties-Court-Latinos-as-Swing-Voters-in-2012-210878-1.html?pos=hln