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

       FOR RELEASE                                  Contact: Ivette Rodriguez     September 30, 1996                                    (202) 401-1576

Presidential Advisory Commission Calls for Action on Hispanic American Education

The commission recommended addressing such issues as:

• Hispanic students disproportionately enrolled in "resource poor" schools;

• inordinate numbers of Hispanics dropping out of school;

• bilingualism being treated as a problem rather than as a resource;

• lack of representation of the Hispanic community in leadership positions in education.

At the meeting, the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans officially delivered the report, Our Nation on the Fault Line: Hispanic American Education, to Vice President Al Gore and Education Secretary Richard W. Riley.

In the report, the commission cites significant disparities in educational attainment between Hispanics and others, including higher dropout rates and lower numbers of college graduates.

"The report is a call to action to address the critical importance of better education for Hispanic students," said Commission Chair Ana Margarita "Cha" Guzman. "Providing a quality education for all our nation's children is an integral part of building the bridge to the 21st century."

Vice President Gore, on behalf of President Clinton, indicated the commitment to "utilize this report as a blueprint to address the education needs and challenges of Hispanic Americans."

In accepting the report, Gore expressed his deep gratitude to the commission and said the report represents the first comprehensive look at the education of Hispanics. Gore said the administration has already begun the work that must be done, as mentioned in the report. For example:

• increased funding for Head Start;

• expansion of efforts to raise school standards and achievement through the Goals 2000: Educate America Act;

• support for the Safe and Drug Free Schools Act;

• promoting access to higher education;

"I want to pledge to you that we will do everything we can to illuminate and address the educational disparities for Hispanics in education," Gore said.

"This report underscores the importance of addressing the education gap that exists," said Riley. "I will work closely with the commission to continue to improve educational opportunities and promote excellence for Hispanic students."

Alfred R. Ramirez, executive director of The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, said that the next phase will be to act on the findings and implement the recommendations mentioned in the report.

President Clinton established the commission by executive order 12900 in February 1994 to work with the secretary of education and provide advice on ways to address 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.

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