Crisis in Colorado


Colorado's Latino Education Crisis


Hispanic Population

Number of Hispanics in Colorado: 926,909 (19.5%)

Hispanic Enrollment in K-12 public schools: 25%



Educational Crisis

Who Scores Below Basic* in Math?

4th Grade:

Percent of Hispanic students: 34%

Percent of White students: 9%

8th Grade:

Percent of Hispanic students: 47%

Percent of White students: 15%

Who Scores Below Basic* in Reading?

4th Grade:

Percent of Hispanic students: 52%

Percent of White students: 19%

8th Grade:

Percent of Hispanic students: 38%

Percent of White students: 13%

* The term “Basic” describes the ability to read basic English material at grade level. Research shows that children who fail to master literacy by fourth grade will likely fall further and further behind each year. Unable to read their own textbooks and with no hope of attending college, many of these children drop out during their high school years.

Who Graduates from High School?

Hispanic students : 51%

White students: 81%

African-American students: 59%

Asian students: 80%


Other Comparisons

Percent of Hispanics age 25 and older who had a high school diploma: 58%

Percent of White, non-Hispanic population with high school diploma: 90%

Percent of Hispanics with at least a Bachelor’s degree: 10%

Percent of White, non-Hispanic population with at least a Bachelor’s degree: 35%

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts

According to the U.S. Census, 218,902 out of 376,826 Hispanic individuals age 25 and up held a high school diploma or its equivalency. Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights, Colorado Selected Population Group: Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

National Center for Educational Statistics, The Nation's Report Card, 2007 Mathematics Report, Colorado, Grade 4. (PDF)

National Center for Educational Statistics, The Nation's Report Card, 2007 Mathematics Report, Colorado, Grade 8. (PDF)

National Center for Educational Statistics, The Nation's Report Card, 2007 Reading Report, Colorado, Grade 4. (PDF)

National Center for Educational Statistics, The Nation's Report Card, 2007 Reading Report, Colorado, Grade 8. (PDF)

Education Week 2006. “Quality Counts at 10: A Decade of Standards-Based Education.” Colorado Graduation Rates 2002. Found using the Greene method with

Education Week's construct your own table feature.