Endorsements for book one
Throughout US history, Latinos have been largely marginalized and discriminated. Not surprisingly, these experiences, particularly in education, have been obscured and rendered largely invisible. In this important new book Dr. Noboa-Rios begins the process of excavating that history, drawing attention to the many ways in which schools have been used to maintain the subordination of Latinos in American society.
— Pedro A. Noguera, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Education, UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies
This book is not easy to read because it is so packed with useful but frequently ignored information. At the same time, it is essential reading precisely for the same reason … Both practitioners and the public must listen to and learn from the most informed voices of the Nation to change tragic and shameful outcomes for Latinos.
— Samuel Betances, Ph.D., Author, Winning the Future through Education, One Step at a Time
Dr. Noboa’s panoramic detailing of Latino education history provides a niche for placing our episodic recollections of the events we lived through or read about. That context augments our understanding of current realities and provides reasons to hope we will, at last, be able to change the course of the trajectory.
— Rosa Castro Feinberg, Ph.D., Retired faculty, Florida International University; formerly with the Miami-Dade School Board
In a much needed and long-awaited book, Dr. Noboa-Ríos has interwoven the most comprehensive tapestry of the Latino American quest to navigate success in American society. A historical gem, certain to become the standard work in its field for many years to come.
— Rosita López, Ph.D., Professor Emerita in Educational Leadership, Northern Illinois University
Not simply the story of Latinx in U.S. education, Noboa-Ríos tells a rather more comprehensive story of public education with a focus on various Latinx groups, particularly Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. This valuable history will put into perspective the complex, flawed, aspirational but nonetheless segregated, racialized, unequal, and inequitable education of Latinx students in our public schools. It also puts to rest conventional wisdom that Latinx students in public schools are a recent or new phenomenon.
— Sonia Nieto, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, College of Education, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
In this detailed and thought-provoking book, Dr. Noboa-Rios offers a unique perspective on the historical barriers within our educational system, and an insightful chronicling of the struggles faced by Latinos across the country.
— Eduardo Padrón, Ph.D., Former President, Miami-Dade Community College
The Story of Latinos and Education is one of the most comprehensive, compelling and passionate analysis of the education of Latinos in America, inextricably linking the persistent disparity in the education of Latinos to the long history of racial and social segregation, division, and inequality that remains to this day.
— Ron Blackburn Moreno, National Executive Director, Aspira Association
Abdin Noboa’s Story is a bold exploration of a topic that resonates ever more loudly in American higher education. It constitutes a comprehensive examination of the subject. His observations are incisive and on the mark.
–Arturo Madrid, Ph.D., Murchison Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Humanities, Trinity University
Endorsements for book two
In this thoughtful and powerful book, Dr. Abdín Noboa-Ríos, identifies the central challenges facing our nation. This is not an issue unique to any one ethnic or linguistic group, but a challenge for the entire nation and one we must face together. It is particularly important that the author resists easy solutions and over-generalizations. Students who bear the label “Latino” are not, the author argues, a monolithic group amenable to one-sit-fits-all educational solutions. These students represent a complex set of cultures and backgrounds which enrich their schools and our country. This is a book to be studied and debated as educators, leaders, and policymakers come to grips with the inequities that continue to grip our educational system.
— Douglas Reeves, Ph.D., Author, “Excellence and Equity Right Now: The 90 90 90 Solution,” Founder, Creative Leadership Solutions.
In America’s Challenge, Dr. Noboa-Rios provides both an informative and provocative history and analysis of this country’s underutilization and underachievement of Latinos. In one volume, he brings to our attention a better understanding of the failure and the promising futures for the next generation of new Americans.
— Eugene E. García, Ph.D., Profesor Emeritus, Arizona State University
America’s Challenge is transformational, for it documents a more accurate portrait of what Latino children have had to endure during their educational journey. Anyone who cares about Latino children must read this book. It is historical, well researched, and honors the legacy as well as the sacrifice of our gente [people]. Well done!
— LTC (R) Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, President and CEO, Educational Achievement Services, Inc.
This substantive and provocative book speaks to us with many voices and from many perspectives about issues and challenges we overlook at our peril. It joins theory and practice; data analysis and personal experience to bear witness to educational realities that could well determine America’s future.
— Margarita Benítez, Ph.D., Executive Director, Puerto Rico Endowment for the Humanities
As a former Superintendent in large urban districts in four states, I’ve personally experienced the flaws in our current educational system and the inequities and disparate achievement among our Latino student population. This book admirably exposes these systemic flaws. We need strong voices such as that of Dr. Noboa-Rios, who takes a bold stance in spelling out what needs to happen in order to move the Latino Education agenda to the forefront. I applaud his book and call to action to move more aggressively on these issues in order to secure a stronger future for our students and our nation.
— Edward Lee Vargas, Ph.D., former Superintendent and ALAS President
This wonderful book is an insightful review of the issues on the education of Latinos, grounded on Dr. Noboa’s deep understanding as a long-time participant, researcher, and observer. It provides a context for the “national discourse” the author proposes—a major challenge considering the growing divides. Neoliberalism in America has distorted analyses of current situations and their solutions, but a national dialogue is a challenge we need to take on!
— Tony Báez, Ph.D., Latino Educator and Milwaukee School Board Member
Kudos to Abdin Noboa-Rios for his sweeping historical and contemporary examination of the poorly understood Latino educational experience. In light of rapidly changing demographics, his injunction to policymakers and practitioners is for them to consider the urgency of time in the cultivation of constructive mindsets and in carrying communities in order to fully embrace diversity with a dedicated pursuit of the common good.
— Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D., Professor, College of Education, University of Texas at Austin, author of Subtractive Schooling and Leaving Children Behind
An important book for our times. Dr. Noboa-Ríos captures the concepts of education for our Hispanic population today … a must read.
— Hon. Grace Flores-Hughes, Former Director Community Relations Service, DOJ