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The recently released 2010 U.S. Census reveals that America is rapidly diversifying, with a Hispanic population larger than ever and more children who come from multiple racial backgrounds. The new data has spurred a focus on improving education for minority children, who will be the country's workforce of tomorrow. |
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| New census data shows that tomorrow's workforce will be increasingly diverse and will need to place a focus on education and graduation rates. |
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According to the latest population count, more than 50 million Hispanics now live in the United States -- about one-sixth of the total population. Most children in California are now of Hispanic origin, as are one in five children in public schools nationwide.
In 10 states and Washington, D.C., the majority of people under 18 are now minorities, and 17 percent of kids live in mixed-race families. The date for when America will become “majority minority” -- where no one ethnic group makes up more than half the population -- is expected to be as early as 2042.
Many analysts say America’s increasingly diverse population will be good for the country’s future, since employers will have a young, vibrant workforce to draw from for years to come.
Focus on education
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At a town hall event hosted by Univision, President Obama discussed the importance of education for the country's growing Hispanic population. |
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To build that workforce, however, the government and other interest groups are focusing on education and on reducing high school dropout rates. Hispanic and Latino students suffer some of the highest dropout rates and the greatest lack of educational opportunities of any minority group -- only 13 percent of Latinos have a college degree.
President Obama recently spoke about these topics at a forum hosted by the Spanish-language channel Univision at a Washington, D.C., school that teaches in both Spanish and English.
“If our students lack the education they need, we won't succeed as a nation,” the president said.
President calls on students, parents and teachers
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The president said parents, teachers, and students all share responsibility for helping young people succeed. |
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At the forum, President Obama said that students, teachers and parents all have to contribute to improving education among minority groups. He told students to continue to work hard and said that the country needs more good teachers to help students succeed. For parents, the president’s advice was to advocate for their children, even if there is a language barrier.
“Parents should be demanding and insisting that even if your child is not a native English speaker, there is no reason why they can't succeed in school, and schools have an obligation to make sure that those children are provided for. They have rights just like everybody else," President Obama said.
What do the numbers mean?
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The U.s. Census is important because it will lead to a re-districting of seats in Congress. |
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The census numbers also have the potential to change the country’s political future, because Congressional districts -- areas that get representation in the House of Representatives -- will be re-drawn according to where the largest population growths occur. Because Latinos grew the most out of any ethnic group, they stand to impact future local and national elections in a big way.
According to the Pew Hispanic Center, 60 percent of Latino voters supported Democratic candidates in House races last fall, while 38 percent supported Republican candidates. In 2008, Latinos voted for Barack Obama by 67 to 31 percent over John McCain.
Because of those trends, some political analysts think the Democratic Party stands to benefit the most from Latino population growth. Others, however, say it depends on what issues take center stage in the next presidential election.
“"If this becomes an election all about the economy, there's a major opening for a Republican candidate to appeal to Latino voters," Republican pollster Bob Moore told The Hill, a political newspaper and website. "But if it becomes about immigration, then it could be problematic for the Republican nominee." |
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| --Compiled by Veronica DeVore for NewsHour Extra |
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| Ellie, Student Reporting Labs |
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