Systemic barriers to educational equity and opportunities for Hispanic and Latino students may not be easily overcome, but influential individuals and organizations are proving it is possible by tackling the barriers differently. - BY Daniel Perez
For Hispanic and Latino students in the United States, education is a critical pathway to achieving their dreams and contributing to their communities. However, they face significant challenges such as language barriers, socioeconomic disparities, and underrepresentation in advanced courses. While Hispanic and Latino students have shown a combination of resilience and determination, they need dedicated educators and targeted initiatives that remove systemic barriers. Empowering students through education involves more than just addressing academic needs. It requires a holistic approach that includes cultural competence, family engagement, financial support, and robust mentorship programs.
This introduction sets the stage for exploring the multifaceted strategies and initiatives that make a tangible difference in the lives of Hispanic students, helping them bridge the educational opportunity gap and excel in their educational journeys.
José R. Rosario and Christine Wedam Rosario work as a director and project associate for the El Puente Project at Indiana University. This community-based initiative provides Latino youth with resources for college preparation, leadership and advocacy skills, and cross-cultural communication. Latino students drop out of school for many reasons, including limited English proficiency, cultural barriers, high poverty rates, and lack of support from teachers, parents, and the community. The community-centered approach involves teachers and parents in the educational process and mobilizes community resources to reinforce learning at school and home.
The mission of Teach For America (TFA) is to partner with leaders in the educational ecosystem and others who develop a broad, diverse, and accountable coalition of people striving to achieve educational equity. TFA’s Latinx Alliances connects with a large number of organizations and partners that offer K-12 student leadership development and scholarship opportunities, undergrad and grad student leadership development, fellowships, and scholarships, teacher leadership development, professional leadership development and fellowships, civic activities, and programs for school leaders and executives that prepare them to make meaningful contributions to Latinx schools and communities.
Building Educational Equity on
Strong Foundations
The Latina Equity Foundation has three main initiatives focused on assisting Latinas: Health and Wellness, Economic Prosperity, and Education. The education pillar for young Latinas includes initiatives that promote educational achievement, a mentoring program that pairs students with experienced professionals, and scholarships for higher education. This foundation demonstrates the extraordinary effort of Latina influencers to develop opportunities for members of Latin communities. The Latinas reviewed studies which found women of color, especially Latinas, are treated inequitably. They decided to change the narrative and are doing so.
The Lumina Foundation is a private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making learning opportunities after high school available to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or other demographics. The Foundation believes higher learning should be easy to navigate and should also address racial injustice so people become informed citizens and succeed in a global economy. In September 2023, the Foundation posted an article noting that one-quarter of Hispanic students face discrimination, harassment, disrespect, and feelings of being unsafe. Over half of Hispanic students considered leaving their programs. The students in short-term certificate and professional certification programs were 2-3 times more likely to experience negative behaviors. Offering educational opportunities is not enough. Educational institutions and programs must create a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.
Corporations Join the Effort
Many corporations have developed educational opportunities for Hispanics. Frito-Lay partnered with the LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) to support Hispanic families in acquiring digital literacy skills. The company is establishing learning spaces for parents and children in need in six U.S. regions. The collaboration between LNESC and its P.U.E.N.T.E.S. program aims to address the gap in digital technology and language translation.
Most corporations fund scholarships through foundations advancing Hispanic and Latinx opportunities. Companies like Target, ExxonMobil, Verizon, and the Infosys Foundation USA support the Hispanic Heritage Foundation programs. Some of the programs offered include Empowering Latinas. In partnership with Century 21 Real Estate, 40 study grants and mentoring partners are allocated to Latina entrepreneurs who want to start a real estate business. The ExxonMobil LOFT Fellowship Program offers fellowship opportunities to Hispanic college students interested in the STEM fields.
Implementing Frameworks to
Overcome Educational Barriers
The Hispanic-serving institutions (HS) are defined as institutions of higher education with an undergraduate student enrollment that is at least 25% Hispanic. The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) maintains a list of institutions that meet the definitions in Title V of the Higher Education Act. Among its many programs are the HACU National Internship Program, the HACU Scholarship Program, the HACU's ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute, and the Voces Nuevas Program. There are also sponsored student programs in which students get opportunities to learn about various sponsoring organizations, like Capital One.
Equal Opportunity Schools (EOS) works with schools to ensure every student has the opportunity to realize their full potential. In the EOS report Shut Out - Why Black and Latino Students are Under-Enrolled in AP STEM Courses, systemic barriers are discussed. Research found less than 3% of black and Latino students are enrolling in AP courses. One reason is that many do not get the information on how to enroll. The low enrollment is not due to a lack of interest. The students taking STEM courses enjoy them and are inspired to attend college. There are many issues involved, like funding inequities for AP courses, educator bias and mindsets limiting student access, and racialized tracking in the early grades.
Different Approaches with the
Same Vision of Educational Equality
The many individuals and organizations working to overcome the systemic barriers Hispanics and Latinos face are taking different approaches. There are language programs, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, programs to build community and parental engagements, scholarships, mentoring and coaching opportunities, cultural competence training for educators, and STEM initiatives. By implementing these initiatives, educators, policymakers, and community organizations can work together to create a more equitable and supportive educational environment for Hispanic students.