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 LOST
IN TRANSLATION: Latinos, Schools and Society
Introduction
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"Everyday makes me feel afraid because I don't know what's coming
for me in the future. . . .I might not have a home, kids, I might
be out on the streets or something" - Juan Hernandez, an 18-year-old
gang member who lives in Los Angeles and who dropped out of high school
during his senior year.
For the 30% of Latino youth who drop out or never enroll in school,
the future can indeed be an uneasy place. Dropouts are twice as likely
to be unemployed as high school graduates. The Latino dropout rate
is 2.5 times higher than that of blacks and 3.5 times than that of
whites.
In the technologically-dominated United States, higher education provides
security. Latinos with a bachelor's degree earn on average twice as
much as dropouts. But sadly, fewer than 1 in 10 Latinos 25 years and
older has graduated from a 4-year college. This should concern all
of us because the face of America is changing. Latinos under the age
of 18 represent the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the country.
If we do not resolve the problem, we run the risk of creating a permanent,
ever-growing underclass in the United States.
 Why
do so many young Latinos drop out? The answer is complex and involves
a variety of factors: inadequate resources, lack of opportunities,
poverty and the lure of the streets - just to name a few. In other
words, the answer has as much to do with politics and economics as
with education. Language is a contributing factor, of course. For
immigrants and the children of immigrants, learning to speak and write
English is generally considered the key to success. But what's the
best way to learn?
California's Proposition 227 has sparked extensive national debate
over English language education. Passed in June of 1998, Proposition
227 ends 20 years of that state's mandated bilingual education programs.
The new law requires that all limited English students be placed in
English immersion programs for one year before starting regular classes.
But this issue is not unique to California.
Nearly 3.2 million American youngsters are enrolled in special programs
designed to teach them English. A number of cities and states are
grappling with the question: "Should students be taught in Spanish
while they gradually transition into English, or should all students
be taught only in English?" Only time will tell how such legislation
will affect present and future immigrant populations.
As debate heats up, one thing remains crystal clear -this is not simply
an educational challenge. It is an economic, political and moral one
facing all of us. To pretend otherwise is to turn our backs on an
entire generation of Americans.
VIEWER
COMMENT |
"Before
the Hispanic report came out in 1995, about the Hispanic Education
crises, John Merrow and staff were already asking the questions.
What a good and informative piece to inform educators around
the country about this issue. I am currently doing my master's
thesis on this topic and I felt it was done in complete balance
on the topic. Good job.."- Claudia, Chicago IL
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Original
Airdate: October, 1998
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