NBC News – Jessica Montoya Coggins
“Recently a group of leaders, researchers and activists arrived at Chicago’s Erikson Institute to attend an Early Learning Symposium, with the aim of boosting Latino educational outcomes. Organized by The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics (WHIEEH), “Fulfilling America’s Future: Research, Practice & Policy Advancing Early Childhood Education for Hispanics” continued the ongoing national conversation about Latinos and education, including the importance of family engagement and increasing STEM. This two-day summit took place just a few months before the Initiative celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Hispanics are playing a pivotal role in the transformation of American education. Latinos represent almost 1 out of 4 Pre-K through 12 public school students. Though there has been significant progress in early education since the Initiative was founded in 1990 there is still a lot to accomplish. Currently only 45.4% of 3 and 4-year old Latinos are enrolled in early learning programs.”(more)