STUDENT MULTIETHNIC ACTION RESEARCH TEAM (S.M.A.R.

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DC LANGUAGE ACCESS COALITION/ FALL 2010

The SMART Fellowship is given to students who are committed to fulfilling the goals of
the SMART program by creating a youth-led decision-making body which advocates and
organizes for better education for ESL students and their families. The SMART
fellowship is a a year-long commitment.

RESPONSBILITIES

Fellows are expected to contribute to the mission of the SMART program over the course
of the 2009/2010 school-year. This requires Fellows to do the following:

 Be able to attend the first session of SMARTs being held on Labor Day
 Meet once a week at the DCLAC office to discuss the development and
progress of the program
 Attend Saturday sessions for extended trainings
 Be willing to attend unscheduled, outside events
 Charter a SMART Club in their schools:
o find a teacher sponsor
o get other students involved, including not only ESL students but all
multiethnic students who can contribute to and benefit from the
goals of the program
 Lead the SMART clubs in action research and data collection in their schools
 Lead the SMART clubs in analyzing this data and using the findings to
formulate a campaign to improve language access in their schools
 Work with the various SMART clubs and other youth and community
supporters to define and execute a campaign that is rooted in their data
collection and findings to improve the education system in D.C.
 Communicate with SMART program staff in order to ensure that fellows have
everything they need in order to be successful in their responsibilities
 Get their parents involved and active in supporting the mission of SMART
 Keep GPA above 2.0
 Attend city council meetings
 Participate in CEO activities

COMPENSATION

SMART Fellows will receive a $160 per month stipend until June 2010. This reward is
based on participation and the achievement of responsibilities over the course of each
month. The Coalition reserves the right to withhold the stipend should a Fellow not
participate or fail to complete their responsibilities.
 APPLYING

SMART Fellows will be holding its first meeting on Labor Day (Monday, September
6th). APPLY NOW!

Desired Qualifications for SMART Participants:

1. Should be in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes or recently graduated

from ESL classes.
2. Must be enrolled in D.C. Public or Charter High Schools.
3. Must have the desire to learn from and work with others who have different
opinions, views and cultural backgrounds.
4. Preference will be given to sophomores and juniors.
5. Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
6. Must demonstrate leadership potential, see opportunities for change, and devote
time to making that change happen.
7. Must commit to working with the program from September until August.
8. Must enjoy working in teams.
9. Must be open to confronting injustices in their communities and at school.
10. The D.C. Language Access Coalition is seeking students from various schools,
including Wilson, Coolidge, Cardozo, Roosevelt, Bell, Cesar Chavez and others.

*In order to apply please have students contact Karina Hurtado-Ocampo, Lead Education
Organizer at the DC Language Access Coalition and schedule an interview anytime
between Monday, August 16th through Friday, September 3rd. Karina can be
contacted by phone @ 718.679.3299 or by email at karina.hurtad@dclanguageaccess.org
Feel free to call and email with question and concerns as well!

Sample Interview Questions:

1. Why are you interested in joining the SMART Fellows?

2. In your experience, what are some of the most important issues being faced in
schools by ESL students?
3. What would you propose we can do to address these issues?
4. Are you comfortable with public speaking? If not, would you be willing to
work with DCLAC staff to prep for speaking at public hearings?
5. What is your favorite celebrity from outside the U.S and why? (ie: Shakira,
Madhuri Dixit, Jay Chou, Kimura Takuya, Teddy Afro, etc)