Jaime Escalante

Bolivian-born math teacher

• Born: December 31, 1930
• Birthplace: La Paz, Bolivia
• Died: March 30, 2010
• Place of death: Roseville, California

As a high school math teacher in East Los Angeles, Escalante encouraged Latino students to enroll in upper-level math courses and to take Advanced Placement examinations. His influence resulted in many of them going on to college and attaining advanced degrees. His success was documented in the film Stand and Deliver (1988).

Early Life

Jaime Alfonso Escalante Gutierrez (HI-may EHS-kah-LAHN-tay) was born in La Paz, Bolivia in 1930. He was the son of two teachers. Escalante developed an interest in science and mathematics, which he studied in Bolivia before immigrating to the United States in the 1960’s. He did not speak English when he arrived in the United States, and he began taking classes, mostly at night, while working at Burroughs Corporation. Escalante earned a mathematics degree at Pasadena City College and then went to California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA), for more in-depth study.

Escalante began his teaching career at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. He initially was appalled at the lack of preparation of his students, but he persevered, challenging the students to take algebra and then continuing to prod them to take increasingly difficult courses. He believed that if he helped Latino students excel in mathematics, they could obtain good jobs in computer and engineering fields.

Escalante’s methods were unusual for Garfield High School. Many teachers there had given up on the struggling students, while Escalante continued to push them to achieve. He ran afoul of some school administrators, who disapproved of his style and his focus on higher-level mathematics. Finally, an administrator came to Garfield who agreed with his methods, and with that administrator’s support, Escalante had some very successful years.

Life’s Work

In 1979, Escalante taught his first calculus course at the high school level. Only five students remained in the class until the end of the school year, two of whom passed the Advanced Placement (AP) calculus test. In 1980, he had nine students, and seven of them passed. The next year, fourteen of his fifteen students passed the AP calculus test. In 1982, eighteen of his students achieved passing grades. However, the Educational Testing Service (which designs the AP tests) became suspicious of the Garfield students’ success. Escalante believed that the only reason the students’ scores were questioned was that they had Hispanic names.

Fourteen of Escalante’s eighteen students were asked to take the test over. Twelve of them did so and passed again. The success of these students led more students to enroll in Escalante’s classes. In 1983, thirty-three students took the test and thirty passed. The number of students taking his classes and passing the calculus AP exam continued to increase until 1987.

In the mid 1980’s, Escalante gained national attention for his approach to teaching inner-city youths. A book was written documenting his career, and a film, Stand and Deliver, which depicted the events surrounding the 1982 AP test, was released in 1988. Observers asked to sit in on his classes to learn his techniques. Escalante continually claimed that he had no secrets—that both teacher and student simply had to work hard.

Escalante also spoke often to his students about ganas which translates loosely as “determination” or “the drive to work unceasingly.” This, he said, was the secret to his (and his students’) success.It is possible that Escalante’s fame hurt his effectiveness at Garfield High. He reportedly received death threats and hate mail in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. His class sizes increased beyond the limits set by the local teachers’ union, which undermined his popularity with other teachers. He left Garfield, mentioning politics and jealousy as reasons, in the early 1990’s.

Escalante continued to teach in high schools in Sacramento, California, and also became involved in a movement to discontinue bilingual education in the state. Escalante’s position on this issue was controversial, especially among Latinos. He also hosted a PBS series, Futures, which introduced students to math- and science-based careers. It became one of the most popular educational programs in public broadcasting history and received more than fifty awards, including the George Foster Peabody Award, one of the highest honors in the broadcasting field.

In 2001, Escalante moved back to Bolivia and taught in a university in Cochabamba. He developed bladder cancer and returned to the United States for treatment. He lived in various places, including Sacramento and Roseville, California, during his last years. Escalante died on March 30, 2010, in Roseville.

Institutions of higher learning honored Escalante for his success with his students. Boston College, for example, named a tutoring program in his honor. Escalante was a 1999 inductee into the National Teachers Hall of Fame and holds honorary degrees from CSULA, the University of Massachusetts, Concordia University, Wittenberg University, and University of Northern Colorado. He was awarded the Presidential Medal for Excellence in Education in 1988. He also received the Andres Bello Prize from the Organization of American States and a Hispanic Heritage Award.

Significance

Escalante used mathematics to inspire poor Latino students to transcend their bleak lives in the inner city and aspire to greatness. He knew from experience that the language of mathematics transcended other language barriers. Once they had experienced achievement, he believed, the students could continue to climb the educational ladder. Many of Escalante’s former pupils went on to achieve in fields including law and architecture.

Bibliography

Byers, Ann. Jaime Escalante: Sensational Teacher. Berkeley Heights, N.J.: Enslow, 1996. This young adult biography is one of a series highlighting successful Latinos.

Mathews, Jay. Escalante: The Best Teacher in America. New York: Henry Holt, 1989. This book was written when Escalante was at his peak and, along with the film Stand and Deliver, helped to make him famous.

Woo, Elaine. “Jaime Escalante Dies at Seventy-nine; Math Teacher Who Challenged East L.A. Students to Stand and Deliver.” The Los Angeles Times, March 31, 2010. Lengthy obituary chronicling Escalante’s career and legacy.