Saturday, July 31, 2010

87% of Hispanics value higher education, 13% have college degree - USATODAY.com

87% of Hispanics value higher education, 13% have college degree - USATODAY.com: ...Despite strong belief in the value of a college diploma, Hispanics more often than not fall short of that goal.

The poll's findings have broad implications not only for educators and parents, but also for the U.S. economy.

In the next decade, U.S. companies will have to fill millions of jobs to replace well-trained baby boomers going into retirement. As the nation's largest minority group, Latinos account for a growing share of the pool of workers, yet their skills may not be up to par. Aware of the challenge, some California State University campuses are reaching out to Hispanic children as early as the fourth grade.

'Aspirations for higher education are very strong among Hispanics, but there is a yawning discrepancy between aspirations and actual attainment,' said Richard Fry, an education researcher at the Pew Hispanic Center.