Formal education among first, second and even third generation Hispanics has been below that of native born Americans and other groups. Achievement in all groups has gradually improved, with the Hispanic gap closing.
Now the Pew Research reports that educational achievement of Hispanics “has been changing rapidly in recent years.”
High school completion: Among ages 18 – 24, the high school dropout rate for Hispanics dropped from 32% in 2000 to 12% in 2014. That’s still higher than for others — blacks (7%), whites (5%) and Asians (1%).
In 1993, the gap between Hispanic and White dropout rates was 24% (33% – 9%.) The gap in 2007 was 19% (24% – 6%). The gap in 2014 was 7% (12% – 5%).
Higher Ed: In 2014, 35% of Hispanics ages 18 to 24 were enrolled in a two- or four-year college, up from 22% in 1993. By comparison, 33% of blacks, 42% of whites, and 64% of Asians were enrolled in higher ed.
15% of Hispanics have a four-year bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 41% of whites, 22% of blacks and 63% of Asians. They are much more likely to attend a two year college program. Nearly half do, compared to 30% of whites, 32% of Asians and 36% of blacks going to a community college.