California urged to Raise Hispanic College-Going Rate

[Harold F. Schiffman]

December 12, 2006

California Policy Options to Accelerate Latino Success in Higher Education

California must do more to get more members of its growing Hispanic
population to enroll in college and to earn four-year degrees, if the
state wants to remain economically competitive, according a report
released today. The report, California Policy Options to Accelerate Latino
Success in Higher Education, was released by Excelencia in Education, a
Washington-based group that seeks to accelerate Hispanic students
achievement in higher education.

The document notes that educational attainment among Hispanic Californians
is low. In 2005, the report says, only 9 percent of Hispanic residents age
25 and older held at least a bachelors degree. The report proposes many
policies and strategies California should consider to try to increase
awareness of college preparation among Hispanic and other communities
underrepresented in higher education; to try to make college more
affordable for students from all economic backgrounds; and to try to
increase the number of Californians who hold postsecondary degrees.

The report recommends, among other things, that California provide all new
parents in hospital maternity wards with informational packets on how to
prepare and save for college, offer financial incentives to students to
stay enrolled in higher education, expand state tax incentives for
employers to support their employees education, and increase state support
of colleges that enroll large percentages of students from
underrepresented groups.

http://chronicle.com/news/index.php?id=1400

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