Equity in Federal Education Programs Statement

Press Conference

Equity in Federal Education Programs
Introductory Remarks by LULAC National President Rick Dovalina
10/2/98

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. My name is Rick Dovalina and I am President of LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens. LULAC is the largest and oldest membership based civil rights organization for Hispanics in the United States.

Throughout LULAC's 70 year history, our number one priority has been increasing educational opportunities for Hispanic students. In fact, polls have shown that Hispanics from across the United States consistently identify education as their number one issue.

I am happy to recognize the bi-partisan support that has allowed the passage of the Higher Education Act which makes postsecondary education more accessible to low income and minority students. I applaud our Congressional leaders for fighting for our children's future by significantly increasing funding for key programs such as the federal TRIO programs and Hispanic Serving Institutions.

There is a severe crisis with the education of Hispanics in this country. As you can see by this chart, close to 30% of Hispanics have dropped out of high school. This compares to 8.2% of non-Hispanics. Only 54% of Hispanics have gone on to college and only 18% graduate with a bachelor's degree.

Last weeks passage of the Higher Education Act was a big step in the right direction. Yet we still have a long way to go to improve Hispanic educational attainment. Unfortunately, the Hispanic population does not receive nearly the level of federal education support that need, fairness, and equity would dictate.

For example, while Congress is moving to increase TRIO funding-which LULAC strongly applauds-nothing has been done to address the severe underrepresentation of Hispanics in TRIO. Hispanics comprise 30% of the participants eligible for TRIO. However, only 15% of TRIO participants are Hispanic.

Another area of concern has been the lack of funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions. LULAC calls on Congress to appropriate at least $28 million to HSI's to send a message that our nation's leaders are serious about addressing the crisis in Hispanic education.

I would now like to turn the microphone over to Senator Bingaman from New Mexico who has been a strong supporter of education and a good friend to the Hispanic community: Senator......