A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

       FOR RELEASE: 10 a.m. CDT                       Contact: Ivette Rodriguez     September 12, 1996                                      (202) 401-1576

Presidential Advisory Commission Calls for Action on Hispanic American Education

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 12 -- Citing demographic trends of growing numbers of Latino students, the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans today predicted that "the bridge to the 21st century will not be sustained without equity in education for Hispanic Americans."

In releasing a report at the first National Summit on Latino Children, Commission Chair Ana Margarita "Cha" Guzman, stated: "The commission's report is a call to action. We can strengthen our nation by improving the current state of Hispanic education."

In its report, Our Nation on the Fault Line: Hispanic American Education, the commission cites significant disparities in educational attainment between Hispanics and others, including higher dropout rates and lower numbers of college graduates.

"We dare not ignore the growing need in the education of Hispanic Americans," U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley said. "We must work together to assure that every child has access to a first rate education, and while respecting the unique Hispanic heritage, give every child the opportunity to be fully fluent in English. Anything less would be a retreat from our national commitment to leave no one behind."

According to a recent Education Department report, from 1995 to 2005, Hispanic Americans between the ages of 5 and 17 will increase by 2.4 million, making Latinos the fastest growing segment of the U.S. student population.

"The condition of the education of Hispanic Americans still remains unacceptable, compared to almost every other group," said Alfred R. Ramirez, executive director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

Among its recommendations, the commission called for:

greater efforts to increase the less than 15 percent participation rate of Hispanic preschoolers enrolled in early childhood programs;
increased support for bilingual education and other English literacy programs that serve Hispanic students and adults;
implementation of successful programs to prevent Hispanics from dropping out of school earlier and at higher rates than other students;
improved access to technology in public facilities, such as schools and libraries, so that Hispanic American students are not "segregated" in resource poor learning environments;
increased support for college programs serving Hispanic students to increase the proportion of bachelors degrees for Hispanic Americans, which has risen only slightly since the 1980s;
a concerted effort to encourage Hispanic students to pursue a challenging curriculum, and to increase Hispanic participation in innovative education programs such as "school to work;"
a data system that would track the participation of Hispanics in federal programs.

President Clinton established the commission by executive order in February 1994 to work with the secretary of education and provide advice on ways to eliminate educational inequities and disadvantages faced by Hispanic Americans, increase Hispanic participation in federal education programs, and promote educational opportunities and excellence for Hispanics.

The 24 member commission of Hispanic leaders from education, civil rights, business and civic institutions is charged with collecting and reporting data on Hispanic participation in federal education programs and analyzing current Hispanic American educational attainment. The commission's work includes conducting research, holding public hearings throughout the nation and convening expert panels on these issues.

-###-