Extreme pressures around the world are resulting from globalization and are clearly evident in Arkansas today, in the wake of an ever-increasing Hispanic and Latino population; and other immigrant groups. The 2000 U.S. Census showed 86,866 Hispanics/Latinos living in Arkansas, a 337% in a few years. In 2006 there are around 100,000 documented and 100,000 undocumented Hispanics and Latinos living in Arkansas.
Bringing Mexico to Arkansas Schools Program (BMAP) was designed to address the consequences of this influx on Arkansas students, teachers, and schools. It taught teachers about Mexican culture and provided a study tour of Mexico; participated in community events and teacher conferences; and provided accurate information, education, references, teaching materials, and hands-on personal experience about Mexico.
Most importantly, BMAP helped teachers interact positively and productively with students and families who have a different culture and language than their own. They shared what they learned with students, colleagues, and communities; and the result was better understanding of Hispanic and Latino culture, especially Mexican culture and better integration of Hispanic and Latino students and families into Arkansas schools and communities. BMAP, in addition to improving intercultural understanding, opened cultural dialogue; forged new bonds between different cultural and ethnic groups; and encouraged educational partnership and exchange.
BMAP’s direct impact was 12,000 students, 600 teachers, 66 schools, and 40 communities; as well as attendees at museums, professional conferences, and public programs at the local and state level. BMAP also reached thousands of additional Arkansans through its website, community outreach at international festivals, school outreach, the traveling exhibit on Mexican culture, and museum exhibits supported by BMAP. Teacher participants achieved dramatic indirect impact on 27,000 additional teachers and potentially 456,500 K-12 students in 1,100 schools around Arkansas.
Some teacher participants went on after their participation in BMAP to create projects of their own with goals and objectives similar to BMAP. Many stay involved today due to BMAP training. Teacher alumni from 2001-2003 still confer with the BMAP director. One borrowed the BMAP Traveling Culture Exhibit for her school's 2006 Cinco de Mayo events. Another received grants to buy Spanish language materials for her classroom.
Arkansas Global Programs still receives many requests to provide another Bringing Mexico to Arkansas Schools Program, including BMAP teacher alumni, and Arkansas Global Programs will offer a continuation of the BMAP program in 2007, pending funding.
BMAP was sponsored by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and highlighted in its 2003 Annual Report.
May 2006