Background Information

Hispanic Census Statistics: March, 2002 
Includes demographic, educational, and economic statistics for the national Hispanic population.

From Risk to Opportunity: Fulfilling the Educational Needs of Hispanic Americans in the 21st Century 
The Final Report of the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans: March 31, 2003.

Status and Trends in the Education of Hispanics 
Includes information such as demographics, student behaviors, academic attainment, and labor market and social outcomes of education. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences; April, 2003.

The Road to a College Diploma: The Complex Reality of Raising Educational Achievement for Hispanics in the United States 

Useful Links

APEX: Aspira Parents for Educational Excellence
APEX provides a curriculum on parental involvement in children’s education. The curriculum is presented as a series of ten workshops on topics such as “What Parent Involvement Means” and “The Importance of Communication.”

Playing Their Parts 
This page discusses how parents and teachers differ in their attitudes towards education and role construction. The conclusions are drawn from the key findings of a study conducted by Public Agenda, a nonpartisan research group. 
 
Latino Early Literacy Development: Strategies for Lifelong Learning and Success 
This compendium of articles, published by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), suggests strategies for effective development of reading skills in Latino children as well as underlining the importance of early literacy development in the Latino community.

Check Enlaces a Otros Recursos in the “Padres de Familia” section for sites parents can explore with their children, and strategies parents can take to empower themselves in the school environment.

Hispanic Organizations

Mexican Consulates 
A list of Mexican consulates in the United States and Canada. Consulates can aid Hispanic families in finding assistance and resources within the community.

Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (CHCF) 
Provides child care training and referral services, youth services such as family counseling and after school care, health eduation addressing AIDS/HIV, domestic violence prevention and education, and public advocacy.

National Council of La Raza (NCLR) 
A private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization established in 1968 to reduce poverty and discrimination, and improve life opportunities for Hispanic Americans.

The Tomas Rivera Policy Institute 
Conducts and disseminates policy-relevant research and its implications to decision makers on key issues affecting Latino communities.

LULAC—League of Unified Latin American Citizens 
LULAC is an advocacy group for the Hispanic population. LULAC initiatives include policy issues such as healthcare, civil rights and education. LULAC also has substantial resources regarding civic and political involvement for Hispanic citizens of the United States.