Without the skills and
competencies necessary to smooth the
transition for children from minority
communities, schools and Grade 1
teachers are ill-prepared to receive
them. Because the schools are not
responsive to their needs, children and
families make it to the school door but
do not remain. They feel uncomfortable;
they drop out. Inaction at the primary
school level translates into a high cost
for society, which misses out on the
potential talents and contributions
of a portion of its citizenry.