NC needs to do more for its fast-growing Hispanic student population, group says

North Carolina’s Hispanic students need more support and policy changes to overcome educational attainment gaps and any language barriers some students might have, according to a new report from LatinxEd.

LatinxEd, a nonprofit focused on improving education for Hispanic students, traveled across North Carolina to host several events that comprised the #SomosNC Listening Tour. The events gathered feedback from Hispanic constituents about what is and isn’t working in North Carolina’s educational system and what is needed to help Hispanic students thrive.

In its report, the group noted the state’s ongoing efforts to improve test scores and educational attainment across the state.

“At the same time, the faces of students and families in North Carolina's schools continue to diversify in racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic origin, with Latinx students and families leading that change,” the report states. “These families face significant equity gaps in educational outcomes, from kindergarten readiness to postsecondary attainment. Now more than ever, the Latinx community is seeking to be heard, included, and a part of education efforts that will expand opportunities for their families.”

Hispanic students are a fast-growing population in North Carolina schools, accounting for most of the state’s public school enrollment growth. More than 300,000 Hispanic students are enrolled in the state’s public schools, accounting for one in five public school students.

But efforts to integrate them into the state’s education system — through language learning or college and career advising and preparation — are lagging, and data proves it, the group argues.

For example, 82% of Hispanic students graduate high school in four years, the lowest of all demographic groups measured. Most Hispanic students, if they attend college, would be the first in their family to do so.

Helping Hispanic students ascend academically would help the state meet its own ambitious academic goals, the report says. The group myFutureNC already reports being behind on its way to a goal of 2 million North Carolinians with a credential or degree by 2030.

“However, at the current rate, the state will fall short of its ambitious goal by 400,000 students without intentional steps to change the trajectory of current trends,” the report states. Within the Latinx and immigrant community across the state, it’s clear that progress is falling short.”

Bilingual educators and English language learning isn’t sufficient, according to the group.

More than 146,000 North Carolina students were English language learners in 2022, a 230% increase from just more than 44,000 in 2000.

The group is calling for more translators, ELL services and support and parent engagement on language-learning options available.

To prevent social isolation of Hispanic students, the group recommends educational materials that include Hispanic culture and training on working across cultures and implicit bias.

Part of the problem is also a lack of diversity among staff, the group argues.

During the 2018-19 school year, 18% of students were Hispanic but just 3% of teachers were Hispanic, according to the Hunt Institute.

But Hispanic students are underrepresented at colleges, especially those who are undocumented, in part because of the high cost of tuition and struggles to commute to college.