A report compiling statistical informal on the Latino population in education helps combat some stereotypes about our people, but also reveals the challenges we face for the future.
The "Spanglish" entitled "Excelencia in Education" report presents concrete data on Latinos’ presence and progress at all levels of education, from preschool to postgraduate studies. The good news is that progress has been made; the bad news is that there has not been enough.
For example, contrary to what many think—that the schools are filled with undocumented immigrants who speak no English—the report points out that most school children are born here: 86%. Moreover, the vast majority of students speak fluent English; only 18% speak a language other than English at home. The report also notes that Latinos, who already represent 20% of students nationwide, have made academic progress, albeit more slowly than other groups.
It is not hard to imagine the reasons when the report also tells us that at least 35% of students go to schools in poor areas, and 55% go to segregated schools, where more than 75% of students are of the same origin.
There has been progress, but not enough. Hispanic students have improved their performance in math and reading. More are also going to colleges and universities—although proportionally fewer than other groups—and the number of Latino college graduates grew by 84% over ten years. Good news, without a doubt, but the gap with respect to other groups, when we are the fastest growing "minority" and the youngest population, remains a clear concern.
A report compiling statistical informal on the Latino population in education helps combat some stereotypes about our people, but also reveals the challenges we face for the future.
The "Spanglish" entitled "Excelencia in Education" report presents concrete data on Latinos’ presence and progress at all levels of education, from preschool to postgraduate studies. The good news is that progress has been made; the bad news is that there has not been enough.
For example, contrary to what many think—that the schools are filled with undocumented immigrants who speak no English—the report points out that most school children are born here: 86%. Moreover, the vast majority of students speak fluent English; only 18% speak a language other than English at home. The report also notes that Latinos, who already represent 20% of students nationwide, have made academic progress, albeit more slowly than other groups.
It is not hard to imagine the reasons when the report also tells us that at least 35% of students go to schools in poor areas, and 55% go to segregated schools, where more than 75% of students are of the same origin.
There has been progress, but not enough. Hispanic students have improved their performance in math and reading. More are also going to colleges and universities—although proportionally fewer than other groups—and the number of Latino college graduates grew by 84% over ten years. Good news, without a doubt, but the gap with respect to other groups, when we are the fastest growing "minority" and the youngest population, remains a clear concern.
