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Hispanic Heritage Month: Bright Spots in Hispanic Education

National Hispanic Heritage Month, which falls annually between September 15th and October 15th, celebrates  the histories, cultures and contributions of American  citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Carribean and Central and South America.

The Library of Congress states that the day of September 15 is  significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.  In addition,  Mexico and Chile clebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.  Also, Columbus Day or Dia de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

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 According to U.S. Census Bureau  population estimates as of July 1, 2013, there are roughly 54 million Hispanics living in the United States, representing approximately 17% of the U.S. total population, making people of Hispanic origin the nation's largest ethnic or race minority.

The U.S. Hispanic population for 2060 is estimated to reach 128.8 million, constituting approximately 31% of the U.S. population by that date.

The U.S. Department of Education notes that, today, nearly one in four students in our nation's public schools is a Hispanic youth, and in just the next few decades, Hispanics will represent nearly one in three American workers.  

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on National Hispanic Heritage Month states that "Numbering more than 54 million people, which includes a quarter of our prek-12 student population, and more than 2 million students in higher education, Hispanics are the largest, youngest, and fastest-growing population in the country.  They are an ever-larger segment of the American workforce, so it is critical that we make investments that increase access to a quality education, and support postsecondary completion."

In addressing the educational disparities faced by the Hispanic community, in 1990 the U.S. Department of Education established The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.   This year the U.S. Department of Education is celebrating the initiative's 25th anniversary by presenting 230  Bright Spots in Hispanic Education, which are evidenced-based organizations, models or initiatives that are working to increase the educational attainment of the Latino community in major areas, including: early learning; K-12 and college access, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education; Latino teacher recruitment; and postsecondary completion.

Bright Spots in Hispanic Education are listed in the national online catalog, and the following is a sampling of what's there:

Early Learning

  • LAUP, based in CA, has preparaed more than 105,000 children for kindergarten and beyond by funding, rating, and raising the quality of preschool programs.

STEM education

  • The ARMAS program in NM was created to increase the number of Hispanic students earning a bachelor of science degree in STEM and offers supplemental instruction and tutoring in STEM courses.

College access

  • The Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) Project, based in TX, provides extensive wraparound support services and financial assistance so that the students can attend college full time.

Hispanic teacher recruitment

  • The  ALBA school in WI works with local universities to create a pipeline to teacher certification, encouraging teacher assistants and parents to pursue credentials to become fully certified educators.

College completion

  • The Dream Project in VA is addressing the needs of undocumented students striving for higher education.