The report, conducted during a six-month period, includes the result of one-on-one interviews with about 1,000 immigrant and refugee students along the Wasatch Front who were not introduced to English until starting school here, and their parents.

More than nine out of 10 parents surveyed said they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "I want my child to go to college." Just as many students said they wanted to go to college and 74 percent of students agreed with the statement, "I understand what is being taught in class."

Yet the survey cites Utah Office of Education data that only about half of Hispanic and American Indian youth were proficient on the language arts Criterion Referenced Tests.

Mark Peterson, public relations director for the Office of Education, said he's not sure how one would account for the difference between the survey's results and achievement.

"If the attitude is there, at least for when they're talking publicly about it, it certainly shows an intention to move in that direction," he said.

Koffi Djagaba of the Tongolese Association said it's up to the state's minority communities, not the state or educational system, to work for change.

"We grass-roots ethnic associations must start this process for the sake of our own children," he said.

One goal of the consortium is to increase parents' involvement in their children's education.

Some 54 percent of parents said they strongly agreed with the statement: "I attend parent-teacher conferences and I understand the school's grading system and report cards."

Another 29 percent said they agreed with that statement.

When asked if they agreed with the statement, "My family helps me with my homework," 62 percent of students said "yes."

Roth acknowledged the report is probably too late to affect effect lawmakers' decision on No Child Left Behind in today's special session, but said the report is meant to be a wakeup call for minority communities.

"This is just one battle. We are looking to win the war," Roth said. "It's our children. It's our country. It's our future."

The results don't include some 400 survey results from Salt Lake City School District, which Roth says were omitted because the district threatened a lawsuit.

Salt Lake District spokesman Jason Olsen said an assistant superintendent denied threatening a lawsuit , but did deny Roth's request to complete the survey. He said Roth had obtained permission and completed a shorter survey in the district.

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E-MAIL: ldethman@desnews.com; dbulkeley@desnews.com