The Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education (CLASE) is an educational research and development center in the College of Education.
Using a multidimensional, cultural-historical framework focused on reducing academic achievement gaps, while promoting strong bicultural identities and resilience for culturally and linguistically diverse students, CLASE provides:
As a recognized research and development center, CLASE engages in a variety of research, professional development and outreach initiatives serving first- and second-generation, predominantly Latino, culturally and linguistically diverse students, as well as their parents and educators, using a multidimensional, cultural-historical framework focused on reducing the academic achievement gap, while promoting strong bicultural identities and resilience as means to support positive integration into the majority society.
Executive Director: Pedro Portes
Research conducted by the Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education has helped develop new pedagogies, change the understanding of cultural adaptation and learning, and investigate how first-generation students adapt to the United States.
Research topics include:
Our research creates long-term, positive effects on education across the United States.
Our professional development program is a direct outgrowth of CLASE's research, funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, to study the impacts of the Instructional Conversation pedagogy on the academic success of English-language learners.
CLASE offers several professional development options for teachers, instructional coaches and districts. Our professional development facilitators work with districts across Georgia, across the country, and internationally. Find out how our Instructional Conversation pedagogy can work for your classroom or district.
The CLASE Tutoring and Mentoring program is an after-school enrichment program for third- to fifth-grade English learners that takes place twice a week at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School in Athens, Georgia. The program mobilizes volunteer tutors and mentors from The University of Georgia to work with kids to build their motivation and confidence as well as their academic achievement.
Tutors give their time and knowledge to Latino and English language-learning children, and in return they receive a personal knowledge and understanding about the Athens Latino community. Our undergraduate and graduate volunteers act as role models while at the same time gaining valuable, real-world experience working with kids. Tutors help students with homework, work on reading skills, and play learning games.
Mentoring and tutoring also builds bridges between University students and the Athens community, offering children a window into the possibilities made possible by education.
Faculty members affiliated with CLASE lend their expertise to a variety of courses in the College of Education with particular focus on issues relating to Latino students, culturally responsive pedagogies, and addressing the achievement gap. for full course details, please refer to the UGA Bulletin.
Topics covered by our courses cover a broad range of topics, but often touch on the following ideas:
In courses designed for both pre-service and in-servce teachers, our faculty explore theory and practice underpinning instructional conversations, the scientific study of language, and the relationship between the study of language and other disciplines.
Our faculty teach courses that touch on statewide and national issues relating to Latino students in K-12 and postsecondary education, as well as the role of language and culture in forming gender differentiation in society.
Courses offered by our faculty review the latest perspectives on learning, teaching, and human performance, including how learning environments and culturally responsive pedagogy can support learning.
