Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify the practices of predominantly Latino high schools in the five-county region of the central and southern San Joaquin Valley that increase Latino student participation in extracurricular activities. Methodology. A descriptive research methodology was utilized with twenty-three schools that met the two following criteria: 50 percent Latino and a school population of at least one thousand students. The researcher interviewed either the principal, assistant principal, or activity director with a semistructured interview format on the following topics: (1) Latino student participation rate, (2) recruitment strategies, (3) programs implemented for Latino students, and (4) programs under development for Latino students. The interviews were recorded and the responses were charted on frequency tables for evaluation. Findings. Examination of the qualitative data from this study indicates that athletics was the extracurricular activity that drew the largest participation rate among Latino students. Bilingual communication with parents was the most prevalent recruitment strategy and cultural activities were reported as being the most significant newly implemented activity. Future programs targeted for implementation were athletic academic tutoring and the Advancement Via Individual Determination or AVID program. Conclusions. Most schools have not focused on creating programs that are specifically designed to attract Latino students. Efforts in this area have been limited to modifying existing programs that are low cost and cultural in nature. Those few schools that have made efforts to specifically engage Latino students have yet to find viable solutions. Recommendations. Further research is advised by replicating this study in other areas of the state. Interview parents and students to determine practices that engage Latino students. Finally, compare schools with differing populations of Latino students in the area of participation rate and practices and then evaluate the results.