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Title: The Demography of the Hispanic Population: Implications for Education Policy

Citation Type: Conference Paper

Publication Year: 2004

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Abstract: The educational experiences of the Hispanic population in the US are generally not positive. On measures of earning a high school diploma, dropout rates, performance on standardized tests, and enrolling in higher education, Hispanics do not fare well. In 1975 38.5 percent of Hispanics age 25 and older had earned a high schools diploma compared to 65.8 percent among Whites, but in 1998 the figures for both groups were 55.5% and 87.1%, respectively (Verdugo 2001). Attempts have been made to improve the educational experiences of Hispanics that address at least three areas: resources, educators' attitudes/expectations, and the school climate. But they appear to have little effect, if current data are accurate. The issues facing Hispanics and the educational system will become even more prominent in the future because the Hispanic population is growing at a tremendous rate. In fact, it was in the last decennial Census that Hispanics finally surpassed Blacks as the nation's largest minority group. What are some of these demographic trends and patterns and how will they affect the educational system? The purpose of this paper is to shed some light on both questions. In pursuing this goal, I have five objectives:Provide a brief introduction to the topic of demography.Provide a brief description of the size of the Hispanic population.Provide a description of the distribution of the Hispanic population.Provide a description of the structure of the Hispanics population. Provide a brief discussion bout the implications these demographic trends have for the US educational system.

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Authors: Verdugo, Richard R.

Conference Name: Southern Demography Association

Publisher Location: Hilton Head Island, SC

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Education, Other, Race and Ethnicity

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