Large Demographic Shifts, Limited Educational Gains: The Status of Hispanics in Arizona

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Section 2: College Student Access, Success, and Outcomes Poster Session 1

Abstract

National trends reveal an increase in Hispanic populations and narrowing in some educational achievement gaps between Whites. With Hispanics comprising the largest racial/ethnic group among Arizona’s K-12 enrollments, this paper explores whether a narrowing of the Hispanic-White educational gap has occurred at a state level. We draw on descriptive statistics from various sources (U.S. Census Bureau, Arizona Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, ACT, College Board) and findings suggest persistent educational gaps between Arizona Hispanic students and their White peers are unlikely to achieve any parity with their population growth rates in the near future. Findings also foreshadow policy implications for the educational status of minorities in the US.

Authors

• Karina Gracia Salazar, The University of Arizona

• Bryant G Valencia, The University of Arizona

• Victoria Navarro Benavides, The University of Arizona

• Jeffrey F. Milem, The University of Arizona