Latino Voters: Education More Important Than Immigration
You wouldn’t know it from watching cable television, but education is more important for Hispanic voters than the issue of immigration.
A recent poll conducted by Democratic polling firm Beck Research confirms just how important education is for Hispanics across the country. What’s more, the poll found strong support among Hispanics for greater choice and competition in order to improve the educational system.
The findings of the poll were presented at the National Press Club at a press conference moderated by Kevin P. Chavous, a senior advisor to the American Federation for Children and the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (Hispanic CREO).
Many of the Hispanics polled for the survey reside in swing states such as Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Florida, and New Jersey.
Hispanics’ concern for education policy is welcome news as our country struggles to raise academic achievement nationwide. However, many policymakers have been satisfied to simply increase funding for education in the hopes that it would translate into academic achievement. But with a high school drop out rate ofnearly 50 percent for Hispanic students nationwide, it is clear that the educational system is failing to provide the fastest growing demographic with a quality education.
In addition to ineffective teachers and lack of accountability, many Hispanic families are forced to send their children to violent schools, making it increasingly difficult for students to graduate and earn high school diploma, which is vital in today’s highly competitive workplace.
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