The feds agree with him. For four years, the district has been out of compliance with federal Department of Education directives for the education of limited English proficiency students. In Luccetti's opinion, the district's non-compliance is directly related to the loss of Hispanic students. Indeed, the audit supports Luccetti's assertions. Competition for Hispanic teachers is fierce because demand exceeds supply nearly everywhere.
Money is a problem, also.
If we compete with Beaverton, Gresham or Reynolds, the teacher is more likely to go there. Tran, a Vietnamese immigrant, is sympathetic to the contention that students do better with teachers who speak their language. Tran and other district officials struggle to explain why the Hispanic dropout rate has failed to show similar declines. The transience of Hispanic families, many of whom come to Oregon for seasonal work, is the most common explanation. Gary Williams, coordinator for management information services in the district, adds that the most economically disadvantaged students quit school the most often.