Latino's Educational Level Status in New York City - Coursework Example

Latino’s Education The Federal classifications in the U.S consider the Latinos or Hispanics as ethnic group that can apply to an individual of any race. According to the U.S Office of Management and Budget, Hispanic or Latino refers to an individual who has roots from, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, central America south America or even any Spanish origin in and culture (Cardenas, & Kerby , 2012). Currently, the Latinos form the largest minority group comprising 14%of the total U.S population by 2005. However, by 2010, the U.S Census Bureau estimated the Hispanics to be around 50.5 million. The population has greatly increased from about 6 million in the 1960 to around 50 million thus comprising 16% of the U.S. present population. However, it is estimated that the population for the group would double thereby reaching 29%of the U.S population by 2020. The New York state forms the home to about 3.1 million Latinos with 25% of the its population belonging to the Hispanic group. The other group comprises the whites; 38%, blacks;23%, Islander/Asian or other; 14%. Most of Latinos in New York reside in Harlem. Despite registering a growth in their population, the Latinos face various challenges in the America such as unprecedented unemployment levels, drug and substance abuse, education disparities levels, health care disparities, as well as economic disparities. Majority of them are overrepresented in low paying jobs as well as underrepresented in professional jobs (Kohler, 2007). The U.S Census Bureau report indicate that 24. 4% of Latinos worked within service occupations compared to 13.7% of the non- Hispanic whites. Consequently, 39.9% of the Whites served in professional or managerial occupations. Moreover, the Hispanics have higher records of poverty level with 21.5% of the population living at the poverty level compared to 8.2% of the non – Hispanic Whites. This paper examines education levels and standards of the Latinos in America and ways of solving such problems related to the education. The rapid growth in the Latino population in the U.S calls for the need and importance of addressing the various challenges the community faces in America. For a long period, education has been identified as the gateway to attain goals thus, a key to success. With unprecedented growth of Latinos in America, educational attainment for this group is of utmost importance. The Latino youths needs better education in order to become academically equipped with skills and knowledge required to meet and tackle challenges that would emerge in the future. Educational accomplishment among the Hispanics has significantly progressed over last few years thus narrowing the education gap between the Latinos and other ethnic and racial groups in the U.S. Despite recording a great success in the educational achievement, the Latinos still lag behind other ethnic groups and races (Lopez, 2009). The period between the period 2009- 2010 recorded a 24% augment in college enrollment among the Hispanics. In October 2010, the U.S experienced a significant increase in the number of young adults aged between 18 and 24 attending college. The number hit the 12.2 million with the Latinos comprising 15% or 1.8 million of the entire population. Moreover, the Pew Hispanic Center reveals that from 2009 to 2010, the number of Latino youths that enrolled for college education increased by a margin of 349000. This was a huge increase compared to the 88000 increase among the blacks, 43000 among young Asians. Sparingly, the whites recorded a 320000 decrease in the number of college youth enrollment. This clearly proves a significant step in enhancing education levels and standards among the Latinos (Nevarez, 2007). Undoubtedly, the contemporary demographic dynamics have played a significant role in ensuring the advanced educational achievement among the young Latinos. The high growth in the population of the Latinos attributed to the high birth rates has ensured that this group becomes the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S. The high growth in the population has also been accompanied the rising educational attainment thus comprising the motivation in promoting the rise in Latino college enrolment rates. In fact, the number of Latinos who registered for college education almost doubled from 2009- - 2010; from 13% to 27%. Despite the rise in the number of college enrollment among Hispanics, the ethnic group still lags behind compared to other ethnic and racial groups. For example, college enrollment among the other groups is as follows; among African Americans, it stands at 38%, Asians; 62% and white adults; 43%. These groups continue to have a high likelihood of attending college compared to Hispanics (Nevarez, 2007). It is also worth noting that the growth in college enrollment has been mainly in the community colleges. For example, in October 2010, almost 46% of every young Latinos enrolled for community college with 54% attending four-year course at the universities. This number stands at 54% among individuals from other racial groups who enroll for a four-year course in the universities. However, an increase in college enrollment among the Hispanics does not necessarily translate to attainment of college degree. It is undisputable that Latinos are narrowing the gap in educational levels with other groups. Despite such significant increase, the Hispanics remain behind in educational standards compared to other racial and ethnic groups in relation to college completion level. This makes the Hispanics to be the least educated ethnic group in America despite recording such high enrollment levels in colleges. Consequently, in the year 2010, an average of 13% of Hispanics within the ages of 25 to 30 had attained a bachelor’s degree (Nevarez, 2007). However, the low schooling level among Hispanic immigrants can partly be elucidated by the low college completion levels. There are many factors responsible for the rise in Hispanic college enrollment. First, the situation has been enhanced by high school graduation rates recorded among the Latino youths. The increase in the number of Latinos who earn high school diplomas has greatly contributed to the rise in the number of college enrolment among the Hispanics. This has really led to the boom in college enrollment among the Latinos thus an increase in the number of Latinos who have attained college education. By October 2010, the number of Latino high school completion level reached its highest at 73% (Lopez, 2009). Furthermore, many Hispanic students still enroll in colleges to attain higher education. For example, the period of 2010 saw a record of 43% Latinos with high school education enroll for college education thus a 5% increase compared to a year ago when it stood at 39%. Consequently, the rise in young Hispanic population has greatly increased the number of eligible college students. For instance, population increase among the Latinos has increased the number of students aged between 18 to 24 year olds who can enroll and access college education. Thus, this number has increased by 1.6 million thereby showing a rise in the number of Latino students seeking higher education. Overall, an increase in the enrollment in college education recorded among the Latinos has been mainly contributed by the steady increase in the Latino population. Further, despite the increase in the level of Latino education, population growth would have resulted into an increase in the college enrollment and therefore an increase in the education standards of the Latinos. However, apart from population increase, various factors have led to the increase in college enrollment witnessed among the Latinos in America (Lopez, 2009). Cons Despite the increase in the number of Hispanic enrollment in both colleges and other institutions of higher learning , there are various negative effects attributed to this progress and step. First, the high increase in the number of Hispanic students within New York and the entire America has resulted in an increase in the school related problems. For example, there has been a rise in the number of suspension and expulsion cases within schools in New York. Statistics show that both expulsion and suspension rates have increased in institutions of learning with the higher rates recorded among the Latinos compared to the Whites and other groups. Surprisingly, the only racial group that has a high suspension and expulsion group comprises the Blacks. It is therefore true that the rise in education level among the Hispanics has contributed to the increase in education related disputes and problems. Therefore, there should be policies regulating New York as well as through the entire country (Lopez, 2009). Moreover, the rise in the number of Hispanic students seeking education has led to an increase in the case of school dropout. A majority of students who drop out of school comprise those of Hispanic origin. This contradicts such cases among white students who have a lower school dropout cases. Drop out case in schools has been common in schools and such trends demoralize most parents who sacrifice for the sake of the kids (Lopez, 2009). However, it is true that the rise in pursuit of the education among the Hispanics has greatly contributed to high school dropout cases in New York and in overall American society. Thus, both the New York federal government and the national government need to establish problems leading to the increase in school dropout cases. I believe such knowledge will assist in solving the problem thus curbing such problem in the society. Pros In every racial group, educational attainment depends on the improved outcomes and prospects. Since the Latinos record a high performance in various important subjects such as mathematics as well as sciences, support of their education will ensure an increase in the overall performance of American students in these crucial subjects (Kohler, 2007). Thus, the country will record a high number of students with good qualifications in sciences and mathematics. This will enhance the growth and development in science and technology fields thereby supporting growth and achievement of American goals and dreams f being a country of scientists who innovate and develop noble things and ideas. Thus, education plays a significant role in the lives of Latinos since it affects their employment prospects. This clearly shows the need to invest and support the education of young Latinos that to be a booming young population. Among individuals with fewer years of schooling, there are high rates of unemployment. For example, in 2011, unemployment rates for Latinos with only a high school degree was 10.3 % while among the whites, it is 8.4 %. The reason for the increase in employment prospects of educated Latinos is their possession for the required skills and knowledge needed to accomplish various duties and roles in the work place. Possession of vital skills and knowledge ensures that the company or business attains its goals thereby increasing profitability and the overall performance of the business. Moreover, possession of skills and knowledge necessary for performing various tasks in business reduces the prevalence of making mistakes while on duty (Kohler, 2007). Reduction in the number of mistakes within business ensures the company does not incur huge losses attributed to the mistakes. This clearly enhances profitability of businesses or companies thus ensuring achievement of goals and prosperity of the company. Moreover, education of Latinos ensures that workers posses vital skills necessary for accomplishment of tasks and goals. Thus, possession of such skills as well as knowledge ensures that the Latino workers have confidence in their duties thereby increasing staff morale. With increased staff morale, workers have the opportunity to perform extraordinarily thereby resulting into enhance growth of the business coupled with increased profit. Since increased profit constitutes the goal and ambition of every business, it is therefore vital for Latinos to receive education in order to promote business growth and prosperity in America. Such growth will ensure economic growth and prosperity in the U.S. thereby advancing the American dream of prosperity in all sectors of life (Kohler, 2007). Consequently, various studies indicate that employers favor educated compared to uneducated workers educated workers. This is because they have confidence and are proud of such workers due to their support and contribution to the business resulting in unprecedented growth in profits. Consequently, such workers earn more; 50% more averagely compared to workers lacking educational attainment. Thus, a high school graduate will earn less salary compared to a college graduate since the two posses two different skills and knowledge in performing various duties. Moreover, the differences in salaries earned between uneducated Latino and the educated individual comes about since the educated individual has the potential to do a specific job that he or she is well conversant. This increases job specialty thereby ensuring increased output and growth in the firms (Kohler, 2007). Moreover, increased salary among the educated Latinos will ensure that such individuals have more money to spend and pay for their needs unlike the lowly paid unspecialized and uneducated Latinos. The educated Latinos who earn a higher salary compared to the uneducated ones have the opportunity to purchase various goods and services they want since they have a reasonable income. Moreover, such individuals have the capacity to save part of their income thereby ensuring that they meet both current and future needs. Thus, the high income translates into increased standard of living among the Latinos. Increased standard of living caused by enhanced level of education will result in a reduction in misery witnessed by individuals who never went to school or who left school at low education levels or classes. Therefore, increased college attainment among the Latinos who are the fastest growing ethnic group in America is of utmost importance not only to the New York federal government but also to the national government. This is because it transforms the lives of individuals who attain post secondary education and who have the opportunity to transform the economy and the image of America in the entire world. Such individuals will ensure that America remains competitive in the global market and this ensures it achieves it dream of being the world supper power (Kohler, 2007). However, this scenario is threatened by constant lagging of the Latino education in America despite the overall increase in their education. This is because there are a large number of unemployed Latinos and this is attributed to lack of education. Employed Latinos rarely hold college degrees compared to the Whites or African Americans. Moreover, most of the Latinos work in industries. Besides, out of six employed Latinos above the age of 25, only 1 holds a college degree (Cardenas, & Kerby , 2012). This calls for the need to promote education among the Latinos thereby ensuring that the associated problems are solved adequately. The national government as well as the federal government of New York needs to establish and implement policies advocating for promotion of education among the youths and the entire Latino ethnic group. Thus, for the U.S government to achieve its dreams and targets, it is clear that they have no choice but to support Latino education. Therefore, the government has to show some support by investing more in the Latino education with regard to the changing demographic changes. Such an initiative will assist in the building and enhancing American workforce that will serve in the future (Cardenas, & Kerby , 2012). In conclusion, Latino education in New York and America has recorded a significant increase within the past years. Despite such increases, this ethnic group still lags behind in terms of educational attainment. However, this issue should be addressed to ensure equality in educational attainment among various ethnic groups in New York and the entire America. I believe that when such step is considered, then various problems facing the society related to education among the Latinos will be addressed adequately thereby ensuring achievement of the American dream. References Cardenas, Vanessa, & Kerby S. (2012). “The State of Latinos in the United States Although This Growing Population Has Experienced Marked Success, Barriers Remain”. Center for American Progress. Retrieved May 3, 2014 from http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/race/report/2012/08/08/11984/the-state-of- latinos-in-the-united-states/ Kohler, D, A. (2007). “Hispanic Education in the United Statwes”. National Council of La Raza. Retrieved May 3, 2014 from http://www.nclr.org/images/uploads/publications/file_SB8_HispEd_fnl.pdf Lopez, H. M. (2009). “Latinos and Education: Explaining the Attainment Gap”. Pew Research. Retrieved May 3, 2014 from http://www.pewhispanic.org/2009/10/07/latinos-and- education-explaining-the-attainment-gap/ Nevarez, C. (2007). “Latino Education: A Synthesis of Recurring Recommendations and Solutions in P- 16 Education”. Collegeboad . Retrieved May 3, 2014 from http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/prof/counselors/Latino-Education-A- Synthesis.pdf Read More