The number of Latino students in U.S. universities has significantly risen in recent years, but the rate of graduates in in entities with large Latino populations is still low, according to a recent report.
According to an analysis by the Excelencia in Education group, which follows the academic advance of Latinos in the U.S., this number is still low, despite various state programs improving their inscription, retention and graduation rates in universities, a group which will be fundamental to recover the global first place of university graduates.
The gap between white and Latino graduates has reduced from 14% in 2010 to 9% in 2012, and yet Latinos still face difficulties to graduate.
According to US News, the report revealed that in 2012 only 20% of the Latino adults older than 25 acquired a diploma, in comparison with 36% of white adults older than 25.
This is why the research suggests that the U.S. has until 2020 to generate program that would improve the number of Latinos with diplomas to reach President Obama's goal of recovering the global first position of university graduates.
The U.S. seeks to recover the global first place of university graduates
According to the quoted newspaper, the United States currently occupies the 12th position among 36 counties regarding university graduates between 24 and 34 yers of age, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Facing this panorama, 5.5 million Latino students must graduate to reach the objective set by Obama.
Although California has the largest Latino population in the U.S., according to the report, it is also the state with the least Latino graduates, a trend repeating in other states with a large number of Latino residents.
According to the NBC, in Texas, only 16% of Latinos obtained a diploma, while 32% of the general population managed to.
In New York, only 22% of Latinos graduated, in comparison to 41% of the general population.
Although the report does not explain the causes for this result, it does suggest that there are still barriers such as cost, support, and previous education which contribute to low graduation levels.