We live in a world where everyone is striving to be the best, to be on top, to be number one. In the United States, we have advanced in some fields, but have fallen behind in others compared to those across the globe. Over the years, the United States has fallen behind in areas specially related to STEM programs. STEM programs are those pertaining to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Out of those who are currently enrolled in STEM related programs, a fraction of them are Latino. This could be due to a number of reasons: from not having enough money to pursue college, to the improper or lack of teaching in lower level courses, or even the fact that there are very few Latino role models represented in these fields. Once at a …show more content…
citizens and permanent residents, 7.3% (about 31,855) were earned by Latino students.” In a research study done by Crisp, Nora, and Taggart (2009), it was predicted that by the end of the decade, 2010, jobs relating to STEM programs would increase by almost 50% in the United States. With this increase, there is a hope that more students enter into these programs, especially Latinos, to fill these desired job opportunities. In the same journal article, the authors said that, “…nearly half of all Hispanic students who declare majors in engineering or science change majors during college and do not earn a degree in either area” (Crisp, Nora, & Taggart, 2009). This could be the result of a variety of reasons and factors, but the authors did not state them. With a seeming low interest in STEM related fields and high degree changes out of STEM programs, the government has pumped millions of dollar into educational programs with the hope that Latinos and other minorities get an equal chance to prosper and succeed in these STEM programs. These educational programs are aimed at those in elementary school and high school, which is the ideal age group to focus on according to journal article by Russell, Hancock, and McCullough (2007). In this journal article, a study was done to find out when an interest in STEM related fields began; 59% said they became …show more content…
Take Mario Acuna for example, he’s a space scientist who was an instrument/project scientist for Mariner 10, Explorer 47 and 50, Voyager 1 and 2, and Pioneer 11. He also developed instruments that helped detect electromagnetic waves, gamma rays, plasma, and x-rays. Another scientist is Luis Walter Alvarez who was a physicist during WWII. He helped developed Little Boy and Fat Man, the first nuclear bombs dropped on Japan in 1945. He won the Novel Prize for Physics in 1968 for developing a bubble chamber and discovered new “elementary particles never before seen.” Next, there’s Angeles Alvarino who was a marine biologist that discovered 22 new marine species of organisms and who was considered “the world’s authority on three groups of marine organisms: chaetognaths, hydromedusae, siphonophores. She also helped the world better understand the oceanic food chain. Finally, we have Raul Alvarado Jr. who was an engineer. He fought to promote opportunities for minorities and his purpose was to help promote the participation of Latino and Latinas in engineering (Newton,
The First part of my research showed more Latinas women are going to college, and their graduation rates have increased faster than any other group of woman. According to Maresshah Jackson (Center for American Progress) November 7 2013. Graduation rates for Latinas where 31.3 percent in 2010, still significantly lower than graduation rate for white woman at 45.8 percent. However, Latinas are the faster- growing female population in the country, but still lower graduation for college Jackson said Latinas hold only 4.4 of the degree earned. Because of these low graduation, rate some, famous people such as actress Eva Longoria have donate, money and time to the University of Los Angeles to hire more Latino teachers to help more Latinas obtain a college education.
Before examining the educational issues surrounding Hispanics, an understanding is necessary of the population numbers that the United States and public school systems are seeing. According to Census 2000, the Hispanic population of t...
As the fastest growing racial or ethnic group in America's public schools, Hispanic students have the unique potential to positively affect the economic and cultural future of the United States. Ensuring the promise of this diverse group of learners requires the attention and commitment of the entire country. We must work harder to close the educational achievement gaps between Hispanic students and the nation as a whole. This must begin with high expectations for achievement, clear goals for what must be accomplished, and specific benchmarks to measure our progress.
The importance put on education often comes from parental involvement. Many Latinos come to this country in hopes of giving the opportunity to their children to have more open more doors to success while enjoying freedom. The freedom that some possibly do not have at home. “A number of factors contribute to the translation of a family’s social capital to schools capital, including parental income and educational attainment, English language proficiency (ELP), parental beliefs and educational aspirations for their children, and parental involvement in schools (Zambrana 62).” The need to aspire is an individual motivation, however the family structure has much to do with the ambitions. The Latino community according to the book Latinos in American Society written by Ruth Zambrana ran a study on the Average SAT Scores for Twelfth Grade Test-Taking Population, by Race and Latino Subgroup, 1996-2006. In this study, it was found that the second-generation students that are of college-educated Latino families contributed the most to the rise in the total Latino student
It is apparent to everyone living in the United States, that we are the most diverse country in the world. Everywhere we go we encounter people of different backgrounds. However, it is also apparent that one race in particular is seen more than others. One of the fastest growing races in the United States in today’s day and age is the Hispanic one. Research has shown that Hispanics are among the fastest growing cultures in our country. This is obvious to just about everyone in the United States. As a Hispanic woman living in the U.S., it has come to my attention that along with being the fastest growing culture, we are also the culture with some of the highest high school dropout rates. This has become a major problem in our country and more predominately in states such as: California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is crucial now more than ever that as the Hispanic population increases in the United States; we educate the children growing up in our country. However, as stated before, it is apparent that Hispanics have had the greatest numbers of high school dropouts. While not many people think of it to be so, the dropout rates among young Hispanic adults is one of the biggest problems our community faces. If there is nothing done about this problem, our entire country will suffer in many ways. Therefor, we must come up with some solutions to lower these dropout rates before it is too late. A few solutions that have surfaced are; programs in schools to prevent dropouts, educating parents about what an education will do for their children, and making a change in what is being taught in schools.
Higher education institutions need to make a concerted effort to recruit and enrollment Latinos in their graduate programs. Latinos need to be given the opportunity
In the United States the population has been increasing because Latinos are still immigrating to reach their American dream. The American dream varies to different people in terms of what it means. However, the majority come to the U.S for better opportunities such as employment, status, and education. In the article the Latino Education Crisis by Patricia Gandara elaborates the fact that Latinos are the “fastest- growing ethnic group, but the most poorly educated”. In fact, many people are aware that Latinos are facing a lot of education crisis such as low-income families, less education, and lack of aspiration and these factors create the largest effect on narrowing the achievement gap. For this reason, Latinos should focus on early education.
Hispanic culture has had a profound effect on American education when it comes to diversity in schools. “Here are now approximately 10 million Hispanic students in the nation’s public kindergartens and its elementary and high schools; they make up about one-in-five public school students in the United States” (Fry 5). There is predicted to be a strong growth in Hispanic students, by 2050 bureau projects predicts that the Hispanic school-age population will increase by 166% (Gonzales 5). With the increase of Hispanics in America, there has been an increase of the graduating Hispanics in school “A record seven- in – ten (69%) A Hispanic high school graduates in the class of 2012” (Fry 5). There has been a 97.1% enrollment rate for Hispanics in America ranging from ages 5 through 7 in 2011 (Fry 5). For college there has been a 15.3% enrollment for Hispanics ages 18 through 24, and for ages 25 and up the enrollment rate is 2.1% (Fry 5). More than 21% of schoolchildren are Hispanic (Samuels ...
Hispanics are having more success in education than the public seems to know. With the assistance of Educational Programs, Student Benefits, and School Improvement, the Hispanic population of student will continue to become better and thrive.
backgrounds, is greater than ever, access and opportunity in American higher education is more complex and a lot less optimistic. Also, the majority of jobs requiring a college education doubled over the past 40 years (Carnevale, Smith, Strohl, 2010). While half of all people from high-income families have a bachelor’s degree by age 25, just
Stern, G. M. (2009). Why Latino students are failing to attend college. Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, 75(1), 46-49.
Low-income and minority students are the individuals and groups that are the most negatively affected by the United States educational failure. The number of Hispanic students in the United States is expected to grow 33 percent by 2020 and the number of multi-racial students are expected to grow 44 percent, however their educational future does not look bright. Historically, minorities are the most likely to be impoverished. Dozens of policies have been drafted and implemented in order to fix this problem, however the solutions have not worked, since at least 50 percent of elementary school students are now attending schools where the majority of students are low income and minority. The high poverty, educational environment the students are in leads to less high school graduation and college attendance, thus in turn will lead to a large population that will burden the United States economy later on in areas such as healthcare and welfare.
The theme of education and undocumented students has been a key issue for many decades. Undocumented students are often deprived from higher education because of their migratory status. They not only have to face discrimination and fear of deportation, but also after high school, they have to face the crude reality that their dreams of success and educational achievement are far from becoming a reality due to their lack of opportunities. Many personal stories shared in William Perez and Douglas Richard’s book “Undocumented Latino College Students: Their Socioemotional and Academic Experiences.” Relate to their fears, difficult conditions, emotional challenges, limitations, and other circumstances that multiple undocumented students live daily
have played an important part in the scientific world by putting forth their discoveries for
In the United States, many lack the skills necessary for college. Unfortunately, the education system fails to prepare some of its students for work or higher learning. Despite these circumstances, teachers and bureaucrats seek improvements to obtain higher success. In spite of the pressure for success, the current situation is not yielding the desired results. Moreover, in the recent State of the Union Address in early 2014, President Barack Obama stated the need for improved education, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM fields. Yet, what should reformers pursue? Researchers have observed recurring problems to direct the improvement of education. The information presented, particularly over the past ten years, has revealed a need to involve the students that lag the most. Education risks excluding k-12 boys and minorities, as well as remedial education collegians, in higher education.