Education Of Hispanics In The United States

Garcia's educational model is such that wings are valued only upon gaining roots, that is, building upon one's Hispanic experience and language. Citing the more assimilationist theories of Richard Rodriguez and Linda Chavez as simplistic, Garcia aims to add a little complexity to a theory of Hispanic education in the US, to favor unity along with diversity, not at diversity's expense.

Hispanics and the Future of America presents details of the complex story of a population that varies in many dimensions, including national origin, immigration status, and generation. The papers in this volume draw on a wide variety of data sources to describe the contours of this population, from the perspectives of history, demography, geography, education, family, employment, economic well-being, health, and political engagement. They provide a rich source of information for researchers, policy makers, and others who want to better understand the fast-growing and diverse population that we call "Hispanic." The current period is a critical one for getting a better understanding of how Hispanics are being shaped by the U.S. experience. This will, in turn, affect the United States and the contours of the Hispanic future remain uncertain. The uncertainties include such issues as whether Hispanics, especially immigrants, improve their educational attainment and fluency in English and thereby improve their economic position; whether growing numbers of foreign-born Hispanics become citizens and achieve empowerment at the ballot box and through elected office; whether impending health problems are successfully averted; and whether Hispanics' geographic dispersal accelerates their spatial and social integration. The papers in this volume provide invaluable information to explore these issues.

In 1994 the median age of the US Hispanic population was ten years younger than the non-Hispanic. Between 1970 and 1990 the numbers of Hispanics with high-school diplomas dropped by three per cent. With such dire statistics, this book examines the state of US education at the end of the 1990s.

Question 6: Do You Think It Is Important to Teach Latino and Mexican-American Studies? -- "This Question Is Immense"--Question 7: What Kinds of Things Should Be Taught? -- "It Does Not Make Any Difference What Ethnic Group the Teacher Belongs To"--Question 8: Who Should Teach Latino and Mexican-American Studies? Anglos? Latinos? Why? -- "Jumping Through a System of Hoops" -- Question 9: What Does "Education" Mean to You? What Should It Be? Should It Be Different From What It Is? -- "Finding Satisfaction with Your Place in Society" -- Question 10: What Does Success Mean to You? -- "The Availability of Choices" -- Question 11: What Do You Think Are the Most Important Things for a Latino Student to Achieve in Life? -- "They Can Be Their Own Worst Enemy" -- Question 12: What Obstacles Do Latino Students Face in Reaching Their Goals? -- Summary and Conclusions -- For Discussion -- References -- 8 Toward a Self-Definition of Success -- The Politics of Language -- Teacher-Student Interactions -- Mechanisms of Discipline -- School Classroom Instruction -- Interracial Conflict -- Issues of Resistance and Identity -- Summary of the Students' Findings -- Students' and Teachers' Findings -- Concluding Statements -- References -- 9 Conclusion: Students' Concerns and Recommendations for Educational Reform -- Administrative and School Climate Changes -- Students' Recommendations Regarding Discipline Procedures -- Systemic School Reforms -- Students' Recommendations Related to School Reforms -- Transformations in Teacher-Student Interactions -- Concluding Statements -- References -- Epilogue -- Postscript: What Does the 2016 Election Mean for Latinos in the U.S.? -- Appendix -- Glossary -- About the Authors -- Index

"A report to the President of the United States, the Nation, and the Secretary of Education, United States Department of Education"--Added title page.