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Thursday, 25 January, 2001, 17:53 GMT
US schools 'failing' Latinas
girls getting exam results
Hispanic groups say education for their community must be improved
Hispanic girls have a bigger school drop-out rate than any other ethnic group in the United States, according to a new survey.

They are also the least likely to gain a college degree.

Drop-out rates for American women aged 16-24
Hispanic - 30%
Black - 12.9%
White - 8.2%
The report, from the American Association of University Women, says that the US education system ignores the cultural issues facing Hispanic girls, leaving them lagging behind other ethnic groups.

There are calls for the recruitment of more Hispanic teachers and for schools to work with the Hispanic community to overcome cultural obstacles to education for women.

The study says Hispanic women often have domestic responsibilities, such as caring for younger brothers and sisters after school.

And it points to pressure from boyfriends who do not want their girlfriends or future wives to be too educated.

Acting 'too white'

Hispanic women might also be accused of acting "too white" if they are educated, the study claims.

The report's authors say the situation could be improved if more Hispanic teachers were recruited who could serve as role models.

Other report findings
Hispanic girls less likely to sit college entrance exams
Hispanic girls sitting the exams score lower than other girls
More Hispanic women than men obtain Bachelor's and Master's degrees, but more men earn doctorates or professional degrees

It is estimated that Hispanics will make up a quarter of the US school population by the year 2030.

According to the National Council of La Raza, an umbrella group representing Hispanics, only 10% of Hispanic women completed four or more years of college, compared with 13.9% of blacks and 22.3% of whites.

Raul Gonzalez, from the group said the best way to improve the performance of Hispanic girls and boys was to have qualified teachers and a rigorous curriculum.

"I think the bottom line is we need to improve schools for Hispanics altogether," he said.

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See also:

14 Dec 00 | Education
Testing times ahead for US schools
23 Jan 01 | Americas
Bush sets out education plan
16 Sep 00 | Education
US education rising by degrees
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