Today's Date: March 29, 2024
e.l.f. Cosmetics Debuts TikTok Shop Super Brand Day   •   Make-A-Wish and celebrity wish granters announce goal to recruit 1 million people to become "WishMakers"   •   VIRGIN HOTELS CHAMPIONS INCLUSIVE TRAVEL FOR NEURODIVERSE TRAVELERS   •   YMCA of the USA Partners With Old Spice To Increase High School Graduation Among Boys And Young Men Of Color Through Mentorship   •   Amerex Group Unveils Red Carter Swimwear's Revitalized Collection   •   Midea Group releases its first-ever ESG brand story with an unexpected VIP visit highlighting its commitment to sustainability.   •   Carnegie Learning Named 2024 SIIA CODiE Award Finalist for Best Educational Game and Best AI Implementation in Ed Tech   •   National University Receives 2024 Military Friendly® Gold Designation   •   Empire State Realty Trust Receives WELL Health-Safety Leadership Award; Becomes Among the First Commercial Office and Multifamil   •   Equalpride Partners with TransLash Media for Trans Day of Visibility, Amplifying Voices of Black Trans Femmes in the Arts   •   Sypher Secures Strategic Partnership with FAIA to Fuel Growth   •   Anaergia Announces Delay in the Filing of Its Audited Financial Statements and Related Disclosures   •   Jamieson Wellness Publishes Inaugural Sustainability Impact Report   •   Coachella Concerned That People Have Sex, Says AHF   •   Chosgo K23: One of the Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids for Seniors   •   Re:wild and Colossal Biosciences team up to leverage revolutionary technology to save critically endangered species on the brink   •   Visit Visalia Recognizes Autism Awareness Month in April   •   Fosun Management on 2023 Annual Results: Focusing on Core Industries with Established Advantages   •   Parkland Corporation Announces the Results of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders   •   Anaergia Announces Escrow Closing of Second Tranche of the Strategic Investment
Bookmark and Share

More Latinos and African Americans Value Higher Education

 

More Latinos and African Americans Value Higher Education
New America Media, News Report, Vivian Po, Posted: Nov 24, 2009

A higher percentage of Latinos and African Americans in California value college education as a necessary path to success in today’s work world, compared to their Asian and white counterparts, according to a recent survey.

Last week, the Public Policy Institute of California released its latest report, “Californians & Higher Education,” which reflects a spectrum of perspectives on California’s higher education among different ethnic groups. PPIC polled 2,502 adults in five languages – English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

Eighty-one percent of Latinos and 76 percent of African Americans believe that college education is necessary for a person to become successful, the report found. Only 57 percent of whites and 66 percent of Asians share the same perspective.

Kim Thomas-Barrios, executive director of the Neighborhood Academic Initiative Program at University of Southern California, said she was not surprised by the survey’s findings.

“Education [means a] better life for them,” she said.

Her program offers college prep for low-income students who are predominantly African American and Latino. Students enrolled in the program receive additional courses in English and mathematics, and extra information on college access, on the campus during weekends.

Thomas-Barrios said that historically African-American and Latino families who attended college earn better salaries and are often seen by their communities as those “who made it.”

While more Latinos and African Americans highly value college education, they are not necessarily receiving one. Their college admission rates remain significantly lower than other major ethnic groups.

According to admissions data from the University of California, African Americans and Latinos make up 4 percent and 22.2 percent respectively of the fall 2009 admissions to UC campuses; Asian Americans and whites make up 34.9 percent and 33.1 percent respectively.

Michele Siqueiros, executive director of Campaign for College Opportunity in Los Angeles, said the survey figures show there is “a gap between aspiration and actualization” in the Latino and African-American communities.

Siqueiros said the high cost of higher education is one hurdle for black and Latino students. They typically can’t afford the extras—like SAT prep courses—as well as the four-year tuition and expenses.

The survey proves her point. According to the survey, 74 percent of African Americans and 64 percent of Latinos believe qualified students from low-income families, regardless of their ethnic background, have fewer opportunities to receive a college education, compared to nearly 60 percent of Asians and whites.

“That is why it is so important to preserve Cal Grants and other grants to low income students,” said Siqueiros.

In addition to college costs, more Latinos and African Americans also see race as a factor.

The survey shows 59 percent of African Americans and 51 percent of Latinos believe qualified students of an ethnic or racial minority have less opportunity to enter college. Only 29 percent of Asians and whites believe race is an issue.

Both Siqueiros and Thomas-Barrios agreed that the one problem is a lack of college-graduate role models. While generating role models in both communities may take a longer time, Thomas-Barrios said that educating parents about college pathways would have an immediate effect on the younger generation.

Despite the gap between the aspirations of Latino and African American youth and the reality of their experience, Siqueiros said it was very positive to see that underrepresented groups place a high value on college education.

“We hope to see admission rates continue to grow in these communities,” she said.

 
 
 
NAM Ethnic Media Directory | Advertise With Us | NAM Newsletters
New America Media is a project of Pacific News Service.
New America Media | 275 9th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 | Tel. 415-503-4170
Copyright © 2009 Pacific News Service. All Rights Reserved.
www.newamericamedia.org


STORY TAGS: latino, latina, latin, hispanic, spanish speaking, education, higher, african, american, black, californians and higher education, ethnic, minority, news, public policy institute, california, new america media



Back to top
| Back to home page
Video

White House Live Stream
LIVE VIDEO EVERY SATURDAY
alsharpton Rev. Al Sharpton
9 to 11 am EST
jjackson Rev. Jesse Jackson
10 to noon CST


Video

LIVE BROADCASTS
Sounds Make the News ®
WAOK-Urban
Atlanta - WAOK-Urban
KPFA-Progressive
Berkley / San Francisco - KPFA-Progressive
WVON-Urban
Chicago - WVON-Urban
KJLH - Urban
Los Angeles - KJLH - Urban
WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
New York - WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
WADO-Spanish
New York - WADO-Spanish
WBAI - Progressive
New York - WBAI - Progressive
WOL-Urban
Washington - WOL-Urban

Listen to United Natiosns News