Education for a Democratic, Pluralistic Society EDU: 251 By: Joanna Daehling-Nelson

Table of Contents: Introduction to the material Introduction to the material Document URL Document URL An abstract of the material An abstract of the material Selected data on educational progress of Hispanic students Selected data on educational progress of Hispanic students Average mathematic proficiency in 1996 Average mathematic proficiency in 1996 Different education levels in 1997 Different education levels in 1997 Median annual earnings in 1997 Median annual earnings in 1997 Conclusion Conclusion

Introduction: Welcome! The following is a poster session for EDU 251: Education for a Democratic, Pluralistic Society. Please go to the below website for the pdf document resource, The Condition of Education This report, The National Center for Education Statistics, U. S. Department of Education Office of Education Research, and Improvement was authored by, Thomas Snyder and John Wirt at (NCES). The particular section where I chose my focus, The Educational Progress of Hispanic Students, was written by Jennifer Sable and Janis Stennett, Pinkerton Computer Consultants, Inc.The Condition of Education 1998

Abstract There are a wide range of educational issues discussed in this report. Issues range from, literacy, access to higher education, and student computer use, (just to mention a few). I choose to focus strictly on the evidence and data provided on education for Hispanics. Most of the data I uncovered from the NCES was in alignment with the data or statistics that we have been analyzing during this course in Duane Campbell’s, Choosing Democracy: A Practical Guide to Multicultural Education (2nd Edition). Choosing Democracy: A Practical Guide to Multicultural Education (2nd Edition) Choosing Democracy: A Practical Guide to Multicultural Education (2nd Edition) This report first provides the information on how the Hispanic population is growing rapidly in this nation. Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in this country. By 2020, 20% of all students in the U. S. will be Hispanic. The NCES begins this section with the parents. Hispanic parents have lower income levels that Whites and how does that effect their children’s education. The report continues with data that conveys the reading, writing, and math scores to be approximately 25% lower for Hispanic students than whites. There is the mention that this could be due to the language barrier that many Hispanics face. Lacking English proficiency has reflected upon lower standardized assessment scores. The education statistics go on further to connect a language barrier to lower academic achievement and then with higher high school drop out statistics. This may in the end lead to lower paying jobs and lower income levels than Whites.

Abstract, (con’t) The data reports that Hispanic students are at risk for academic failure and this could result in missing out on higher level jobs. This may result in lower pay in the job market in comparison with whites. As disparaging as all of this may sound. This report does provide a light at the end of the tunnel. Since 1975, parental education levels among Hispanic students has doubled. Reading, writing, mathematic, and science national assessment scores have improved in some areas in the last 25 years. This report does convey evidence that those born in the U. S. score higher on national tests. Many Hispanic parents are becoming actively involved with their student’s education experience. More and more Hispanic students are participating in advanced proficiency and more rigorous high school courses. Although there is still a significant gap between Hispanics and whites pursuing college and other higher learning institutions, this report notes, “Hispanics are more likely than whites to earn bachelor’s degrees in business and computer an information sciences”, (NCES 1996). Since the 1970’s, the level of Hispanics seeking a postsecondary education has increased. Hopefully, the statistics will continue to grow in favor of narrowing the gap between all minority and whites.

Selected Data Average Mathematic Proficiency in 1996

More Selected Data Percentage of Hispanic and white 25- to 29-year olds who complete different levels of education, 1997

Final Selected Data Median annual earnings (in 1997 constant dollars) of full-time, year-round wage and salary workers ages 25–34, by sex, race, and highest educational level: Education Levels WhiteMenWhiteWomenHispanicMenHispanicWomen Grades 9-11 $21,513$15,532$16,510$13,699 High School Diploma$26,446$19,233$21,118$17,708 Some College $29,272$23,141$25,361$21,412 Bachelor’s Degree $38,813$31,085$34,400$29,090

Conclusion Due to the wide range of educational information provided in this report, I chose to merely focus on the educational progress regarding Hispanic students in education. This topic was relevant to what I have been studying and analyzing during our EDU: 251 course. I hope delve deeper and further my study in this area in the near future with my final research portfolio project for iMET 5.