Hispanic Heritage Month & Latino Education and Economic Progress

The Center on Education and the Workforce, at Georgetown University, has released a suite of resources on its research into Latino education and economic progress, to include video, Powerpoint, interactive charts, and a comprehensive report.  These interactive tools profile the ten states with the largest Latino populations in the US.  You can access the
 full report, video, and interactive tool here

Below is a highlight from the summary:

While Latinos are running faster in the education race, this report finds that they are falling farther behind Whites and Blacks in many crucial college outcomes. The good news though, is that with the right support, Latinos are poised for a surge in educational and economic success.

Do you serve a high percentage of Latino learners in your program?  Check out the sections of the full report to understand the research behind these statements:

  • One of the biggest challenges for Latinos has been navigating a polarized post-secondary system with two unequal pathways.
  • Native-born Latinos have more post-secondary education compared to foreign-born Latinos.
  • Latina women, like other women, are typically in low-paying majors and have lower earnings even when they have degrees in high-paying majors.
  • Country of origin and English language ability are important sources of wage disparity between Whites and Latinos, but they do not fully explain the earnings gaps.

What questions do you have about these findings?  Do they match your experience, and that of your learners?  Please share your comments and feedback with us, and we will invite the authors to respond.

Mike Cruse

Career Pathways Moderator

michaelcruse74@gmail.com