HISTORY
In 1991, the educational landscape of El Paso reflected a historical disparity in school performance closely linked to race, ethnicity, and poverty. The data reflected an achievement gap in standardized test scores, high school course enrollments and pass rates, high school dropout rates, and post-secondary graduation rates. The gap was a critical issue in the city, and would ultimately, become a driving force for the creation of the Collaborative. In the same year, Dr. Susana Navarro, founder and executive director of the El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence, returned to her native El Paso after spending over 20 years in Washington D.C. and California working on civil rights and educational issues. Just before returning, she had served as the executive director for the Achievement Council, a statewide non-profit organization in California aimed at improving educational opportunities for minority and poor children across the state. Upon her return, she took part in a series of conversations about education, opportunities, and outcomes among El Paso students with key educational leaders that led to the creation of the Collaborative.
Along with the achievement gap, two other key components led to creation of the Collaborative. First, during the 70’s and 80’s, numerous special programs and educational developmental programs geared at helping students’ bridge the academic achievement gap, had been formulate and put in place. While these programs provided assistance to many individual students, their approach was not systemic and did not address improving the schooling experience of all students. Second, there was a need for an approach to school reform that brought together K-12 and post-secondary in efforts to address the educational issues of the community. At this time, the K-16 approach was a new and emerging concept. Finally, local leaders embraced a reform effort where school districts the community college and university would work with the entire community in a broad partnership to focus on the essential components of schooling and bring about the systemic change needed.
These three factors set the stage for the creation of the Collaborative. Concerned that El Paso's students were being poorly prepared for higher education and careers, and unwilling to accept traditional excuses such as language barriers or poverty, Dr. Navarro met with Dr. Diana Natalicio, the president of UTEP, to discuss the possibility of working together. At the time, Dr. Natalicio had also been looking for ways UTEP could work with area schools and districts, as well as for ways to improve teacher preparation. As she was rethinking UTEP’s involvement with schools, her thoughts began to focus on K-16 partnerships. The convergence of a shared vision for the active engagement and commitment of postsecondary to K-16 reform proved vital to the creation and success of the Collaborative.
Conversations continued with the key educational leaders at the three major school districts – El Paso Independent School District, Ysleta Independent School District, and Socorro Independent School District. These conversations centered on issues of equity, the achievement gap, and the possibility of creating a collaborative partnership. Performance data were presented and discussed and became the driving force behind the urgent need for change. These series of meetings quickly established a willingness and commitment from the educational leaders to address these issues through a new partnership. Having already received the full support from Dr. Natalicio, the Collaborative was established. With UTEP’s full support and commitment in this endeavor, the Collaborative was housed at UTEP.