8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Legacy Foyer, Level 2

Registration

 

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8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Illumination Room, Level 2

Breakfast

 

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9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Welcome Remarks

• Dr. Gary Segura, Dean, Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles

 

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9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Session I:

Arizona: A Key to Shaping the Nation’s Future

Latinos represent the second largest population group in the nation and continue to be a driving force of growth and influence across all aspects of American life. Arizona has the fourth largest share of Latino population in the country and as such, the future prosperity of the state, and the nation, are intrinsically tied to the success of the Latino community. Arizona is also a reflection of the changing demographics across the nation and is poised to play a critical role in shaping future national trends on critical issues, including education. This session will explore these shifts and identify key short and long-term opportunities policymakers may leverage to improve outcomes for Arizonans.

Moderator: Ms. Erica Bernal-Martinez, Chief Operating Officer, NALEO Educational Fund

• Mr. Joseph Garcia, Professor, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University
• Dr. Matt A Barreto, Co-Founder, Latino Decisions; Faculty Co-Director, Latino Policy and Politics Initiative, University of California, Los Angeles
• Dr. Stephen Nuño-Pérez, Associate Professor and Chair, Politics and International Affairs, Northern Arizona University; Contributor, NBCNews

 

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10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Session II:

Latino Political Leadership: Turning Numbers into Outcomes

Policymakers have the opportunity to lead educational improvements in complex statewide systems through a strong vision for the future and by effectively navigating the policymaking process. As Arizona continues to address both the current and future educational needs of Arizona students, the collective strength and influence of all stakeholders in education must be leveraged to ensure economic opportunity and mobility for all. In this session, policymakers will explore and define effective leadership strategies that cultivate and strengthen collaboration across sectors to define a shared responsibility to promote education and workforce strategies that increase the well-being of families and residents.

• Hon. Kevin De Leon, Former President Pro-Tempore Emeritus of the California State Senate; Senior Fellow, Latino Policy and Politics Initiative, University of California, Los Angeles
• Hon. Mara Candelaria Reardon, Indiana State Representative; Board Member, NALEO Educational Fund

 

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12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Illumination Room, Level 2

Luncheon Program:

Addressing the Educational Needs of Latino Students

• Dr. Patricia Gandara, Research Professor of Education, Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles

 

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1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Session III:

Budget is Policy: How Arizona’s Budget is Critical for a Policy Agenda

Over the past decade as states have continued to recover from the great recession, there has been varying levels of re-investments by states into their education systems. State budgets are a reflection of priorities. As legislators strive to ensure that their state education systems are equipped to prepare students for a 21st Century economy – this vision will be up against any number of competing priorities for the limited resources that exist. This session will explore best practices around budgeting and maximizing fiscal resources to meet the diverse needs of students, families and secure the future success of the state.

• Mr. Michael Griffith, School Policy Consultant
• Hon. Jeffrey Sanchez, Former Massachusetts State Representative; Former Chair, Ways and Means Committee; Board Member, NALEO

 

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1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Break

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3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Session IV:

Gaining Leadership Momentum: A Conversation on Challenges and Opportunities for Latinos

This session will feature a deeper conversation with thought leaders from throughout the country on the challenges and opportunities that come with supporting and advancing policies in support of the Latino community, including Latino students. Through a peer to peer learning exchange, participants will explore how diverse leaders navigate complex political and policymaking systems that can help improve outcomes for the Latino and other underserved student populations.

• Dr. Rodney Hero, Center Director and Professor, Center for Latina/os and American Politics Research, Arizona State University
• Hon. Mara Candelaria Reardon, Indiana State Representative; Board Member, NALEO Educational Fund
• Hon. Armando Walle, Texas State Representative; Treasurer, Mexican American Legislative Caucus
• Hon. Rene Garcia, Former Florida State Senator; Board Member, NALEO Educational Fund

 

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5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Closing Remarks and Evaluations

 

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6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
STK Los Angeles located at the W Los Angeles-West Beverly Hills

Group Dinner

 

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8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Legacy Foyer, Level 2

Registration

 

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8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
lllumination Room, Level 2

Breakfast

 

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9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Session V:

Lessons from the Past: The Evolution of Latino Political Leadership in California

Over the last few decades, Latino leaders in California have encountered and overcome similar political and policy challenges on education that Arizona leaders face today. California offers valuable lessons and promise for how collaborative governance, strategic planning, and increased community engagement, can be leveraged over time to promote and pass policies that support Latino student success. One example includes Proposition 58, which repealed the long-standing ban on bilingual education in the state. In this session, policymakers will explore the historical progression of Latino political and policy success in California through a look at lessons learned and strategies that can be leveraged to further build and strengthen the work of the Arizona Latino Legislative Caucus.

• Hon. Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner, California Department of Insurance; NALEO President
• Hon. María Elena Durazo, California State Senator; Vice Chair, California Legislative Latino Caucus
• Hon. Richard Polanco, Former California State Senate Majority Leader

 

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10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Session VI:

Practicum Part I: Navigating & Overcoming Political Rhetoric to Champion Student Success

Addressing today’s most pressing issues in education is a challenge for all policymakers; the state’s fiscal health depends on a thriving workforce to drive a 21st century economy. Carefully navigating the barriers of today’s heated political environment while putting students first is essential to improving educational and future workforce opportunities. Demographic and population research help frame the narrative for policies that champion the needs of the state’s growing and younger workforce—Latinos—to care for an older, aging white population. This session will provide participants with an overview of how to confront and overcome political rhetoric to meet the needs of all residents for a roadmap for a new Arizona.

• Ms. Sonja Diaz, Founding Director, Latino Policy and Politics Initiative, University of California, Los Angeles
• Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil, Director, Center for Policy Research on Aging, Professor of Social Welfare and Public Policy, Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles

 

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12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Illumination Room, Level 2

Networking Luncheon

 

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1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Session VII:

Practicum Part II: By the Numbers: Poll Analysis, Strategic Communications and Political Skill Building

Today’s changing environment demands innovative and effective leadership policies and practices from all levels of government. Policymakers must effectively implement strategies that promote their education related goals and agenda. This session will equip policymakers with current polling data trends, tools to analyze data, and best practices for effective messaging to create build support among key stakeholders.

• Dr. Matt A Barreto, Co-Founder, Latino Decisions; Faculty Co-Director, Latino Policy and Politics Initiative, University of California, Los Angeles
• Dr. Edward Vargas, Assistant Professor, School of Transborder Studies, Arizona State University; Senior Analyst, Latino Decisions

 

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3:00 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.

Break

 

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3:10 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Session VII:

Practicum Part II (Continued): By the Numbers: Poll Analysis, Strategic Communications and Political Skill Building

Policymakers will have the opportunity to engage in a guided skill-building exercise based on tools gathered in Part I. Legislators will breakdown what they have learned about polling data, understand what information should and should not be applied in their decision-making, and identify strategies to develop sound legislative policy ideas.

• Ms. Sonja Diaz, Founding Executive Director, Latino Policy and Politics Initiative, University of California, Los Angeles

 

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4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Session VIII:

Short-Term Strategies Discussion

The 2020 legislative session will surely present varying opportunities and challenges for state legislators and the communities they serve. This session will provide policymakers with an opportunity to engage in a rich discussion as they develop a policy action plan with short and long term strategies to improve student academic and workforce outcomes in their state.

 

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4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Legacy Room, Level 2

Closing Remarks and Evaluations

 

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