Today’s article is part of the motivation series. Few things are more motivating than progress, and the progress the Hispanic community has made in educational attainment over the last decade has been remarkable.

This next 5-minute read has two objectives. First, to summarize and celebrate the progress made by the Hispanic community and the reasons for this success so we can continue to build on what’s working. Second, to remind readers that there is still much to be done and to discuss briefly the reasons for the educational attainment gaps between Latinos and other ethnicities, helping us think about how we can contribute to solutions.

Celebrating progress

To make it easier to visualize and share, I created an infographic with key information on 5 indicators and achievements in educational attainment, comparing the school years 2000-01 and 2021-22, based on National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data.

What is going well

Five crucial factors significantly impact the educational progress of Hispanics/Latinos and should be maintained.

1. Community support programs 

These programs have played an essential role in providing resources and guidance to students. A few examples of programs that aim at increasing access to and success in higher education for minorities are the University Crossroads Program at the University of Texas, the “Catch The Next” program which includes coaching, mentoring, and internships, the Guided Pathways program at Austin Community College District, the Latino Achievers program at the YMCA of Middle Tenessee, and MiMentor Alliance in Mentorship program, which I am proud to be part of. The list is endless, demonstrating how communities unite to make a difference.

2. Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs)

HSIs have played a crucial role in creating supportive environments for Hispanic students to achieve academic success. Starting as grassroots efforts in the 80s, they were formally recognized by Congress in 1992. Today, they represent 20% of all colleges and universities in the U.S. and boast higher graduation rates compared to the federal average.        

3. Supportive Policies

Policies aimed at helping minority students succeed, such as Affirmative Action, have been crucial. Though recently challenged by the Supreme Court, these policies have significantly supported the Hispanic educational journey in the last few decades.

4. Programs that specifically address the gender gap

More Latinas are enrolling in college (60% or 1.99 million) compared to Latinos (40% or 1.32 million). Female students also represent the majority of those enrolled in Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), showing a significant shift in educational attainment among Hispanic women thanks to these institutions. Programs to ensure gender parity in educational achievement are crucial.

5. Acculturation 

Acculturation is a topic I wrote about in my previous article. It refers to the process by which individuals adopt the cultural traits or social patterns of another group. The more generations a family has lived in a new country, the more likely they are to succeed academically, increasing the achievement levels of the new generations. It turns out most Latino college students (83%) are U.S.-born and are second or third-generation immigrants. This trend is likely to continue as U.S.-born children drive Hispanic growth more than immigration.

Ongoing challenges

We must celebrate and feel proud of the tremendous progress made so far, but we cannot deny that Hispanic/Latino educational attainment lags behind other races/ethnicities on many levels.

In my book Un Doctor Por Favor, I have examined the primary causes of this issue. To sum up, poverty, limited English proficiency, and poor school quality are the most important risk factors for low educational achievement.

Other factors include:

1.      Balancing Work and Study

Many adult Latinos enrolled in college work 30 hours or more per week, impacting their academic performance. Although retention rates have improved, they are still lower than the national average by 4-5% mainly due to this reason.

2.      Caring for Dependents

Many Latino students, particularly females, have caregiving responsibilities. 56% of Latina students report taking care of children compared to 31% of male students.

3.      School segregation 

Segregation of low-income and minority students begins early in life. The number of students attending intensely segregated schools (schools where 90% or more of students are non-White) has tripled since 1988. Unfortunately, these schools tend to have lower-quality facilities, larger class sizes, higher student-to-school counselor ratios, teacher shortages, and less effective teachers.

4.      Lack of teacher diversity

The effort to diversify the pool of teachers has not kept pace with the rapid growth of students of color, increasing the racial/ethnic gap between students and their teachers.

5.      Biases in standardized tests 

Biases in standardized tests are a complex and controversial issue that I discuss in more detail in my book. Essentially, there are strong correlations between test scores and variables such as parents' level of education and family income, demonstrating that disadvantaged students are at a further disadvantage when taking these tests.

The further one progresses in the education continuum, the lower the achievement rates for Hispanic students, a topic I will devote a full article to.

What Needs to Change and How You Can Help

To continue the progress and address the ongoing challenges, several changes are necessary:

1. Advocacy

Advocating for policies that support educational equity and access for Latino students can address systemic barriers and promote higher educational attainment. The Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action will likely have a significant impact, and therefore advocacy at other levels is critical.

Are you involved in any advocacy initiative?

2. Support Systems:

Strengthening support systems, such as scholarships, mentorship programs, and academic support services, can help Latino students balance work, study, and caregiving responsibilities. Increasing funding, such as through the Pell Grant, and overall funding to Hispanic-serving institutions, is essential.

Do your children's school or local government have support systems in place to help minority students? Can you recommend any?

3. Community Engagement:

I have listed just a few of the available programs nationwide. We must continue to encourage community involvement and support for Latino students to foster a sense of belonging and motivation to succeed academically.

Would you be interested in joining a local program as a mentor or volunteer, or creating one?

4. Representation at the leadership level:

Increasing representation of Latinos in higher education leadership, faculty positions, and leadership positions in industry can provide role models and mentors for aspiring students.

Are you a Latino leader or do you know a Latino/a leader that you can support or promote as a role model in your community?

5. Mentorship:

Although there are programs that focus on offering mentorship opportunities for Hispanic/Latino students, there is a significant need for more such programs across the country.

Think about the possibility of becoming a mentor. No matter your personal accomplishments, you may be amazed by how impactful it can be for disadvantaged minority students who lack the support of their families, to receive assistance when they need it.

Conclusion:

The progress made by Hispanics/Latinos in educational attainment over the last decade is remarkable and worth celebrating. However, significant challenges remain, and addressing these requires concerted efforts from individuals, communities, and policymakers. By advocating for policies that support educational equity, strengthening support systems, encouraging community engagement, and increasing representation, we can ensure that the progress continues and that future generations of Hispanic and Latino students have the opportunities they need to succeed.

As leaders interested in careers in science and medicine, we have the power to make a difference. Get involved in mentorship programs, share relevant information, and advocate for educational policies that promote equity and diversity in your workplace. Your actions can help ensure that the progress made over the past decade continues and that future generations of Hispanic/Latino students have the opportunities they need to succeed.

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