“No Latin American left behind” - U.S. education head tours Chile, Brazil

U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings is on a tour of Chile and Brazil in an effort to attract Latin Americans to study in the U.S. “American higher education is open for business to students from our neighbors” said Spellings yesterday despite increased immigration restrictions and strong academic opportunities in countries like Canada and Britain.

While Spellings efforts are welcome, perhaps it would be more beneficial for her to worry about the education crisis in the Latino community in the U.S. As attorney Raul Reyes wrote last week in USA TODAY:

“According to a study by the Center for Community Development and Civil Rights at Arizona State University, out of 100 Latinos males who start elementary school, 49 leave before high school graduation. Of those who finish high school, only 10 complete college. Our high school dropout rate (29%) surpasses that of white males (7%) and African-American males (14%).

The report didn't blame Latino males for this failing. Rather, it suggested that underperforming school systems were failing them. While also citing cultural, economic and institutional barriers to success, the report warned of the dangers of such a large segment of the population being consigned to the underclass.”

Sources- The Santiago Times, Guardian UK, USA TODAY, Arizona State University

Image- CNN (Education Secretary Margaret Spellings met with Chile’s Foreign Minister yesterday)