Essay Hispanic High School Dropouts

Submitted By marglorey
Words: 848
Pages: 4

Today I want to discuss the issue of Hispanic High school dropouts which is a big concern here in Houston and the USA.
In Houston, Hispanics are dropping out of school at an alarming rate and only a small group is going to college. This creates a discouraging problem for a city that is 40% percent Hispanic and growing. The reason for high dropout rate for the Houston Hispanics varies; it can include struggling to learn English, the need to work and help out the family to pay bills, coping with unplanned pregnancies and so on. The solutions are just as complex as the problem itself.
Dropping out of high school has serious long term consequences, not only for the student but for the family and society. According to experts they say that between 3.5 million to 6 million young American’s between the ages of 16 and 24 are school dropouts.
Texas researchers say society has to realize that sex happens, and children are under pressure. It’s not just teaching about abstinence or birth control. When we work on pregnancy prevention, we are working on improving our community and future generations. A college graduate can earn $1 million more than a high school dropout.
One in 10 Hispanic high school dropouts eventually receive a G.E.D., which is at a high level of 41% compared to the 23% of Blacks and 14% of Whites. Hispanics are the nation’s largest minority group and they are 15% of Americas’ population.
Hispanic adults with a GED have a higher unemployment rate than the Hispanics with a high school diploma. Although the Hispanic with a GED and a High school diploma make about the same amount yearly which is between $32,000 to $34,000.a
Just how costly is a school dropout, well Americans that do not graduate pay a heavy price? The links between leaving school before graduating and being on low income have striking outcomes. There is a correlation between these dropouts. One of the outcomes is that you will have more people on the welfare system, more people unemployed. Without a diploma students will face a future of low wages and limited opportunities.
By receiving further education or training it can lead a path of upward mobility for the high school drop outs. Drop outs with a GED are more likely to pursue a postsecondary education and training than those lacking a GED. Drop outs with GEDs are considered for admission in the degree granting colleges and universities and you must also have a GED to obtain a federal Pell grant.
Schools have a better chance of being successful with at risk students when they establish a close relationship with the student’s family. Also have committed teachers and even create a system of incentives to keep students involved and motivated by perhaps having excursions and visits to universities. There is another benefit in receiving a GED or high school diploma it is an avenue to enlist in the nation’s U.S. Military. The Military prefers to recruit high school graduates but, will also accept GED graduates. Hispanic born adults are not much better educated than Hispanic immigrants.
Hispanics with a GED are more likely to be currently incarcerated than other Hispanics. This is partly the fact that correctional facilities provide