FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Attendees from last year's Day at the Capitol
On March 19th, 2012, the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans (Council) will hold the 2012 Asian Pacific Day at the Capitol with the central theme of “Educational Success for Every Student.” The day’s event will start with an advocacy training at 10 am, followed by a public rally in the state capitol rotunda at 11:45 am. Attendees will then visit state legislators to share their stories, concerns, and experiences relating to education. Several organizations have already signed on as sponsors and confirmed speakers at the rally include MN Department of Education Assistant Commissioner Rose Chu and Senator John Harrington.
The annual Day at the Capitol is held as a way to help deliver concerns from community members directly to state legislators. Attendees will receive advocacy training from Organizing Apprenticeship Project trainers, receive a briefing on educational issues, hear from community and public leaders, and speak with their own legislators. The Council hopes to use the Day at the Capitol to shine a light on the educational achievement gap among Asian Pacific students. Brian Kao, research analyst for the Council, explains: “Often times, discussions about the educational achievement gap tend to leave out Asian Pacific students; we’re still looked at like the model minority. In reality, the statistics for Asian Pacific students is very misleading and hides the fact that students from many Asian communities are in need of additional support and resources. It’s up to us to show our state leaders what the research says and to tell the stories that reflect our educational realities.” Coinciding with Day at the Capitol, the Council will be releasing their 2012 Education Report on Asian Pacific Students in Minnesota, which will contain educational data for Hmong, Chinese, South Asian, Vietnamese, Lao, Cambodian, and Burmese students.
The Council encourages people to register early for 2012 Asian Pacific Day at the Capitol. Registration is free and open to the public and can be completed at http://2012apdatc.eventbrite.com/. Questions can be directed to Brian Kao at brian.kao@state.mn.us or at (651) 757-1742.
The Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, created in 1985, is a state agency that advises the Minnesota state legislature and governor’s office on issues pertaining to the Asian Pacific community.
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