During Hispanic Heritage Month Civil Rights Coalition Calls for High School Education Reform
1 in 5 students is Hispanic; parents cite education as top election issue
WASHINGTON — During Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the vibrant history and culture of Hispanic Americans. To ensure Latinos’ continued capacity to be successful contributors, it also is an optimal time to focus on solutions to the crisis in the neighborhood schools that are educating tomorrow’s potential leaders.
Hispanics account for 20 percent of public school students nationally, yet they have at best a six in ten chance of graduating from high school on time with a regular diploma. For English Language Learners (ELLs), the odds are even worse; fewer than half will receive a high school diploma. Of Latinos who do graduate, many lack the skills they will need in college, work, and life. At the same time, the parents of these students cite education as their top concern in the upcoming presidential election.
“High quality education for Hispanic students is not only important for their advancement, it is essential for the nation’s needs,” according to John Trasviña, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), which is a member of the Campaign for High School Equity (CHSE). “Ensuring that all students graduate from high school with the skills they need to succeed in college and in their communities is a civil rights issue, and it should be part of the dialogue leading up to the November election.”
A coalition of leading civil rights groups focused on high school reform, CHSE advocates for stronger education policies that provide adequate support for American high schools and hold schools accountable for graduating all students prepared for college and work. “American education policy must change now,” said Michael Wotorson, CHSE executive director. “We need better services for our ELL students; culturally based teaching that respects native language, culture, and traditions; and accurate public reporting of disaggregated data in order to highlight subgroups and accurately account for diversity.”
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The Campaign for High School Equity is a coalition of leading civil rights organizations representing communities of color that is focused on high school education reform. CHSE members include the National Urban League, National Council of La Raza, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, League of United Latin American Citizens, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, Alliance for Excellent Education, National Indian Education Association, and Southeast Asia Resource Action Center.
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