The Present Hispanic
Demographic Revolution
Presented by:
Harry P. Pachon, Ph.D.
Professor of Public Policy
University of Southern California,
President, Tomás Rivera Policy Institute
U.S. Hispanic Population Surpasses 45 Million Now 15 Percent of Total
The nation’s Hispanic population increased 1.4 million to reach 45.5 million on July 1, 2007, or 15.1 percent of the estimated total U.S. population of 301.6 million.
National and state estimates by race, Hispanic origin, sex and age released today by the U.S. Census Bureau also show that the Hispanic population exceeded 500,000 in 16 states.
RELEASED: THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008
Latino Diaspora: 1970
9 States Where Latinos Outnumbered Blacks and Asians: 1970 Census
Latino Diaspora: 1990
13 States Where Latinos Outnumbered Blacks and Asians: 1990 Census
Latino Diaspora: 2000
23 States Where Latinos Outnumbered Blacks and Asians: 2000 Census
How Large is the U.S. Latino Community?
U.S. Latino Population Compared to Other Spanish-Speaking Populations
1. Mexico 106 million2. U.S. Latino 45 million3. Colombia 43 million4. Spain 40 million5. Argentina 40 million
Source: CIA World Factbook, 2005 & U.S. Census
Hispanic Enrollment in Texas School Districts2007-08
Dallas ISD Ft. Worth ISD Houston ISD
1st grade 69% 61% 63%
6th grade 65% 58% 59%
12th grade 55% 47% 50%
Hispanic Enrollment in California School Districts
2007-08
Los Angeles
USD
San Diego
USD
San Francisco
USD
1st grade 74.5 % 45.8 % 25.4 %
6th grade 74.1 % 45.4 % 21.9 %
12th grade 65.1 % 35.1 % 15.4 %
Hispanic Enrollment in New Jersey School Districts
2007-08
Essex County (Newark)
Passaic County (Paterson)
Union County (Elizabeth City)
1st grade 20.8% 46.7% 34.0%
6th grade 20.5% 42.9% 26.2%
12th grade 16.8% 35.0% 22.2%
Hispanic Enrollment in Las Vegas Clark County School District
2007-08
Grade Percentage Enrollment
1st grade 44.2 % 11,083
6th grade 40.4 % 9,736
12th grade 49.5% 4,612
The Present Hispanic Demographic Revolution in Context:
a. Historical Discrimination re: three-tiered schools system in locales such as Pomona and Ontario, California
b. Rise of Ethnic Stereotype re: education
c. Past Immigration policies1. Bracero Program2. No quotas for Western Hemisphere countries3. Visa backlog not as large
d. Recent immigration policies1. IRCA2. Increased border enforcement3. Huge visa backlogs
Overall Results
Relatively recent “incentivization” of permanent residency post-1970
Large percentage of Foreign-Born parents
Age Pyramids for Hispanics of Mexican Origin by Nativity (2000)
1.542.80
4.487.22
11.9614.49
15.2912.68
9.676.90
4.452.89
2.111.310.93
0.640.470.17
1.582.60
4.546.43
10.1713.47
13.8812.95
10.316.92
5.333.63
2.621.731.631.060.670.45
25.00 15.00 5.00 5.00 15.00 25.00
0 to 45 to 9
10 to 1415 to 1920 to 2425 to 2930 to 3435 to 3940 to 4445 to 4950 to 5455 to 5960 to 6465 to 6970 to 7475 to 7980 to 8485 to 89
Percentage of all Foreign Born Mexicans
FemaleMale
18.518.8
13.911.1
8.66.2
4.54.3
3.62.9
2.01.6
1.1
1.10.9
0.50.30.1
18.218.3
13.810.2
8.25.7
4.94.64.1
3.12.3
1.51.3
1.21.20.80.30.1
25.0 15.0 5.0 5.0
15.0 25.0
0 to 45 to 9
10 to 1415 to 1920 to 2425 to 2930 to 3435 to 3940 to 4445 to 4950 to 5455 to 5960 to 6465 to 6970 to 7475 to 7980 to 8485 to 89
Percentage of Nature Born Mexican Origin
Female Male
51.2%50.3%
8.8%
45%40%
8.7%
Prime Demographics
College Knowledge demonstrated:
• 60% of Latino parents could not answer more than 3 questions on college education
• However, 90% wanted their child to attend college
Parent College Knowledge Mini-Test
1. From what you know, are advanced placement classes often counted towards college credits?
2. From what you know, do colleges usually value a grade earned in advance placement course more highly than a grade received in a regular course?
3. From what you know, do college prep course include a two-year foreign language course other than English?
Parent College Knowledge Mini-Test
4. From what you know, in what grade should your child start college prep courses?
5. From what you know, does a community college usually offer the same bachelor’s degree that a university offers?
6. To the best of our knowledge, which of the following tests is intended to give colleges a measure of your child’s knowledge in specific subjects? Is it the Scholastic Aptitude Test II (or SAT-2), or the Graduate Record Exam (or GRE)?
Parent College Knowledge Mini-Test
7. To the best of your knowledge, is a non-citizen, permanent resident eligible to receive federal student financial aid?
8. To the best of your knowledge, are the resident tuition and fees about the same for a four-year state college as they are for a two-year community college?
Perspectives of College Costs, Benefits, and Financial Aid Among California Latino Youth
Surprisingly, however, a majority of Latino youth (51%) and parents (68%) reported not receiving information about college financial aid
• Fifty-six percent of College Potentials did not receive financial aid information while they were enrolled in Kindergarten through twelfth grades.
• On the other hand, fifty-nine percent of College Achievers received financial aid information.
YG12: Did you get information or advice about college financial aid while you were enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th grade?
Base: Youth, N=1,204
Received college financial aid information during K-12
Yes 41%
No 56%
Don't know 2%
Yes 59%
No 39%
Don't know 2%
College Potentials College Achievers
PG13: Did you get information or advice about college financial aid while your child was enrolled in Kindergarten through grade 12?
Base: Parents, N=1222
• A majority of parents reported that they did not receive any information about college financial aid while their child was in grades K-12.
• Parents of College Achievers were more likely to get info while their child was enrolled in K-12.
Majority of parents did not get financial aid information in K through 12
Received college financial aid information during K-12
No 72%
Yes 25%
Don’t Know 3%
No 58%
Yes 39%
Don’t know 2%
Parents of College Potentials Parents of College Achievers
“Cognition Not Culture”
a. Policy Implications range from bilingual web sites, college catalogues, appropriate language level to bilingual college recruiters
b. Support college knowledge incorporated into high school / middle school curricula
c. Support and promote college knowledge with Spanish-language PSAs
Address “Myths”
• Myth of Impermanency
• Myth of Low Aspirations
Latino College Education
is not solely a
“Latino Issue”
For further information,
please contact www.trpi.org