Hispanic Student Population Doubles

According to a recent report by the Pew Hispanic Center, the number of Hispanic students in America's public schools has more than doubled from 1990 to 2006, accounting for 60% of the total enrollment growth over that period.  There are currently an estimated 10 million Hispanic students in public kindergarten, middle school and high schools in the U.S.  Hispanics account for 1 in 5 students in U.S. schools.

Unfortunately, more than a quarter (28%) of Hispanic students attending public school in the U.S. live in poverty, as compared to 16% of non-Hispanic students.  However, with a growing Hispanic population in U.S. schools, multicultural values and traditions will continue to shape public education in the U.S.  With a growing need for bilingual professionals, Hispanic students--where 7 in 10 students speak Spanish at home--become a valuable asset in a vibrant global economy. 

There are advocates on both sides of the aisle of the assimilation/acculturation argument. However, with a rapidly growing Hispanic population in the U.S., our schools, healthcare institutions, businesses and invariably marketers will have to adapt to more of a bicultural population that influences our local culture with traditions, music, food and language from their homeland.