Hispanics set school, college enrollment records
WASHINGTON (AP) - Hispanic population growth and improved high school completion rates helped Latino young people become the largest minority group on college campuses and a fourth of the public school population last year, according to a Pew Hispanic report released Monday.
The center's analysis of Census data shows more than 2 million Hispanics ages 18 to 24 were enrolled in college last year, making up a record 16.5 percent share of enrollments in that age group at two-year and four-year universities.
Simultaneously, for the first time, one fourth of the pre-K through 12th grade population was Latino, the center said.
The Hispanic share of the public school population had been inching up as the enrollments of children in pre-K and kindergarten reached one quarter Hispanic over the past six years.
The elementary school population also became one quarter Hispanic last year, nudging the overall pre-K through 12th grade to about one quarter Hispanic last year, up from 23.3 in 2010.
Mark Lopez, associate director of the Pew Hispanic Center, said in the next few years the high school population will also reach that mark.
Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States numbering about 52 million last year, according to the Census. Lopez said the rapid growth in the population has contributed to the increased numbers of Latinos in college, along with higher high school completion rates.
The number of Hispanics aged 18 to 24 years old grew from 1.3 million in 1972 to 6 million in 2011. Also last year, 76 percent of Hispanics in that age group finished high school, three percent higher than in 2010.
Latino population growth largely drove the increases in share of Hispanics in the public school population. One in four babies born in the U.S. are Hispanic, according to an earlier Pew Hispanic Center study. The Census projects that by 2036, Hispanics will compose one third of children ages 3 to 17.
"Both of these are trends that have been coming for a while ... It's a trend that's been on its way," Lopez said.
The center's analysis of Census data shows more than 2 million Hispanics ages 18 to 24 were enrolled in college last year, making up a record 16.5 percent share of enrollments in that age group at two-year and four-year universities.
Simultaneously, for the first time, one fourth of the pre-K through 12th grade population was Latino, the center said.
The Hispanic share of the public school population had been inching up as the enrollments of children in pre-K and kindergarten reached one quarter Hispanic over the past six years.
The elementary school population also became one quarter Hispanic last year, nudging the overall pre-K through 12th grade to about one quarter Hispanic last year, up from 23.3 in 2010.
Mark Lopez, associate director of the Pew Hispanic Center, said in the next few years the high school population will also reach that mark.
Hispanics are the largest minority group in the United States numbering about 52 million last year, according to the Census. Lopez said the rapid growth in the population has contributed to the increased numbers of Latinos in college, along with higher high school completion rates.
The number of Hispanics aged 18 to 24 years old grew from 1.3 million in 1972 to 6 million in 2011. Also last year, 76 percent of Hispanics in that age group finished high school, three percent higher than in 2010.
Latino population growth largely drove the increases in share of Hispanics in the public school population. One in four babies born in the U.S. are Hispanic, according to an earlier Pew Hispanic Center study. The Census projects that by 2036, Hispanics will compose one third of children ages 3 to 17.
"Both of these are trends that have been coming for a while ... It's a trend that's been on its way," Lopez said.
How many of the Hispanic students are children of illegal immigrants?
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Americans better wake up before it's too late. Politicians weaken or refuse to enforce our laws to kowtow to children and other relatives of illegals. With the weakened laws, more illegals enter. So politicians kowtow more. So more illegals enter. Etc etc.
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We better end the vicious circle now. Do something. Join http://www.fairus.org/ or similar groups opposed to illegal immigration. Now or never, folks.
My kid was smart enough and worked hard enough that he didn't spend one day of his Sr. year in HS. Not one day. ZERO!
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Yet he can't get any financial support for college. It seems I'm too credit worthy. Own my home, paid off the car two years early, white middle class, 2 credit cards (one soon to be obsolete), and between the two of us, he's a no go.
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Why is that? I can only come up with two conclusions. It's either because he's white, or I'm not debt ridden. Maybe both?
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Just say WA. Welcome to the sanctuary. Your wish is our command (if ya meet the criteria).
 @bobalouie Being debt free, could be the reason, maybe for the banks it means you are able to manage to pay for your son's college. Has he applied for scholarships?, if his grades are so good, he should, many schools usually want and help those kids. A friend's daughter had excellent grades and she did not pay a penny for her University, she got full scholarship. I come from a different culture were we finish high school at 16 and in my country kids are not aloud to work until they are 18, so parents are the ones who pay for our University, until we are done with our career, Master, PhD are on us, we finish school with no debts at all and our parents usually pay the college expenses cash, so no debts for anybody. In the middle of our careers we start working saving for our future. We also live with our parents until our mid 20's or so, schools don't have dorms, if one comes from out of town usually lives with relatives or rent a room. My kids are still young but  they know they can stay at home if they go to any of the schools in our city, if not they know we will help them with cash, plus we are already saving for their college. I think it is an advantage that kids here can start getting pay jobs in their early teens and save for their future and of course we have to teach them how to do that. I really don't want my kids to finish school and have already about $100,000 in debt over their shoulders or mine.
 @bobalouie There is plenty of banks that will loan your son Money, if you co-sign.Joint the club, it doesn't only happen to White people.
Being Hispanic myself, I'm on the fence on this issue.I for one maybe be the Minority of the Minority.1. Did not and will not vote for Obama, he's done nothing for me and has only used Minorities as political pawns.2. If you are here legally I'm OK with that and you deserve any help you can get as long as you work hard.3. If you'll illegally here, go back home and fill out the paper work necessary to come to this Country legally. 4. If you are wondering about me, all the men in my Family have served in the Military all the back to WWII. born and raised in the USA!Â
Yea and where is the validation that they are legally here in the US?  Our government is providing millions of dollars in financial aid to illegals that should not even be here. Does anybody see an issue with that? I do, fix America and quit providing valuable monies that could help legal citizens of this country educate and better themselves before providing benefits to those that should not have it.
 @Capicorn123 How about we jail anyone who employs an IIIEGAL? Those who take advantage of the cheap labor are the ones who are robbing the legal workers in this country.
While I applaud Hispanics for bettering themselves, I don't think it's fair that illegals should get any free ride from the government.
 @Magic 8 Ball The people and corporations should pay for their education or their offspring's education. Those employers are the ones getting a free ride.
For any illegal, the taxpayers shouldn't be paying a dime toward their education no matter where they come from. Â I do believe DOE does not give federal loans out to those deemed illegal as they should. Â
 @HallandOates I agree!! Those who employ that Illegal or employ their parents should pay to educate the illegal student.  Those employers are the ones who encourage Illegals to be here.
Why the hell does this matter? The only reason we still have race issues is because of the media, which continues to give the NAACP and other special interest groups more reason to complain. Last time i checked, we are Americans, skin color shouldnt matter; I'm just tired of all of the incessant political correctness.
 @northwestsurfer You're absolutely correct...skin color does not matter, but LEGAL citizenship does.
agreed, but the article does not mention legal status.
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@Wabbit I wont disagree with that. The only animal that reproduces faster than them are rabbits; and I dont mean that in a derogatory manner.
 @northwestsurfer  Wow, Komo actually deleted my comment and it wasn't even bad. Just stating the obvious. Most Hispanics are catholic and are discouraged from using birth control. Did it get deleted because I said they also generally don't believe in abortions? Wow...
@Wabbit Get used to it; the admin deletes comments arbitrarily, or when someone complains.
also is that on the tax payer dime or are the parents paying for schooling?
Now break it down LEGAL versus ILLEGAL!!! I want to know what it it costing LEGAL tax payers!!
@Truth Percolates You are such a republiCON tool!!!
That is awesome.Â
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 So, what is the difference between the Hispanics and Blacks? Why does Obama need his special Executive Order for blacks?
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It's a serious question.Â
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Anyone know?
@HonkeyCat Be careful, asking questions will alert the PC police. You will become a target and have a label attached to you.