The Latino Education Crisis

American schools are sleepwalking into a perfect storm- rapid demographic changes, an unforgiving global economy, and continually dysfunctional schools. Gandara and Contreras delineate the ... challenges of the 'Latino education crisis' with empirical rigor, conceptual clarity, and humane concern. This is the book that everyone who cares about the American future should read and pass on to a friend. -- Carola & Marcelo Suarez-Orozco, authors of Learning a New Land: Immigrant Students in American Society

Drawing on both extensive demographic data and compelling case studies, this book reveals the depths of the educational crisis looming for Latino students, the nation’s largest and most rapidly growing minority group.Will the United States have an educational caste system in 2030? Drawing on both extensive demographic data and compelling case studies, this powerful book reveals the depths of the educational crisis looming for Latino students, the nation’s largest and most rapidly growing minority group. Richly informative and accessibly written, The Latino Education Crisis describes the cumulative disadvantages faced by too many children in the complex American school systems, where one in five students is Latino. Many live in poor and dangerous neighborhoods, attend impoverished and underachieving schools, and are raised by parents who speak little English and are the least educated of any ethnic group. The effects for the families, the community, and the nation are sobering. Latino children are behind on academic measures by the time they enter kindergarten. And while immigrant drive propels some to success, most never catch up. Many drop out of high school and those who do go on to college—often ill prepared and overworked—seldom finish. Revealing and disturbing, The Latino Education Crisis is a call to action and will be essential reading for everyone involved in planning the future of American schools.