2002-09-04-皮尤-Latinos_In_Higher_Education_32页_266kb

报告摘要

Latinos in Higher Education: Enrollment vs. Graduation (Analysis Summary)

This report by the Pew Hispanic Center examines the extent and nature of Latino college enrollment, highlighting disparities between enrollment and completion rates. Key findings include:

High Enrollment Rates: Latinos are increasingly enrolling in postsecondary education, with enrollment numbers rising in the late 1990s. For example, 10% of Latino high school graduates enroll in college compared to 7% of all high school graduates, making Latinos the second-largest group in college enrollment after Asians.
Low Completion Rates: Despite high enrollment, a significant number of Latino college students do not earn degrees. Over half of those attending two-year colleges never complete a degree, and Latin Americans lag behind other groups in pursuing graduate and professional degrees. For instance, only 1.9% of similarly aged Latino high school graduates pursue post-baccalaureate studies, compared to 3.8% for whites.
Factors Influencing Enrollment and Completion:
- Part-Time Study: Latin Americans are less likely to enroll full-time, with only 75% of traditional-age college students being full-time, which increases dropout risks.
- Two-Year Colleges: About 40% of Latino college students attend two-year institutions, often due to affordability, flexibility, and community focus, but these institutions have lower degree completion rates.
- Age and Generations: Enrollment peaks for traditional college-age students (18-24), but older students less frequently obtain degrees. Generation differences are notable; native-born second-generation Latinos enroll at rates similar to whites, but completion rates remain lower.
- Socioeconomic and Background Factors: Income, gender, and national origin play roles in college choices; Mexicans and Puerto Ricans have lower enrollment rates compared to Cubans, and immigrant students face barriers due to language and economic pressures.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The analysis underscores that improving college retention and graduation rates among Latino students is crucial for economic advancement. Policy initiatives should focus on enhancing financial aid, addressing academic preparation, facilitating transfers from two-year to four-year institutions, and supporting younger students at critical ages. This can significantly narrow the achievement gap and boost Latino participation in higher education.