Abstract
The percentage of Hispanic students who fail to graduate is dramatically superior compared to the other groups. Therefore, this paper makes use of various data findings across the various states in an endeavor to establish the factors that put in to the low rate of graduation among the Hispanic students. Poverty appears to be a fundamental contributor to this problem. The lacking in proficiency of the English language among the Hispanic students has a connection to a superior dropout probability among the Hispanic students. In addition, various investigations suggest the characteristics of the neighborhoods may perhaps be a significant factor in the explanation of the low rate of graduation from this group of minorities. Therefore, addressing the concern regarding reported cases of surprising low official rates of dropouts is necessary.
Organization of the Study
Chapter 1 consists of the introduction that gives the background of the study. it gives the reason to why the study was carried. Through the introduction, the readers would get to know more about the problem and the subjects involved. The readers get to know the main victims and the efforts that have been in place to correct the situation.
Chapter 2 discusses the literature used in examining the ways through which the Hispanic students interact with the other stakeholders such as their counterparts and the employees of the institution. Therefore, it offers an explanation on the methods that seek to boost the development and understanding of this group of minority students. The investigation regarding this study treats as primary the factors being looked into such as the Literature review, research methods among many others.
Chapter 3 consists of research methodology analyses the high dropout rates have been observed among the minority communities. The Hispanic community has experienced low numbers of graduating students. This is due to numerous factors that have a detrimental effect on their education. This includes economic and social factors affecting the education process. The research through the aforementioned sub-questions will use the different approaches of research to establish the factors affecting graduation rates among Hispanic students. The institutions with superior rates of dropping out fail to meet their purpose of service to their community and the students. The way to increasing rates of graduation amongst the Hispanic students lie with the identification of whatever the student population requires.
Chapter 4 analyses the significance of the study. It shows that examining the rates of graduation in a holistic manner through consideration of community concerns, statistics and the viewpoint of the institutions from the perception of students will provide an insight on whatever is lacking from the administrators. Therefore, it is necessary it is necessary to keep an open mind towards the creation of solutions in order to increase the rates of graduation so that the institutions may well be on the way to accomplishing the requirements of the students who have the tendency of falling through.
Chapter 1: Introduction
There is an evident rate of disproportion among the diverse ethnic groupings in the USA. This majorly visible from the minority groupings perceived to be encountering numerous challenges all throughout their education compared to their age mates. Reluctantly, a considerable number of students from these groupings of minorities fail to graduate. One major affected minority grouping by this vice in the US is the Hispanic community. This group has encountered a substantial lower rate of graduation compared to the white peers. This happening is attributable to numerous elements that in some instances may perhaps be exceptional to the community such as the cultural environment among numerous additional factors. Consequently, this research examines such factors that are well-known contributors the superior rates of dropout by the Hispanic students prior to their qualification for graduation. The failure by this group of students to graduate possibly will affect their opportunities in the future (Bye, 2010). Nevertheless, despite the Hispanic students getting access to education in the US, a considerable number do not attain the qualification mark of graduating owing to numerous economic and social reasons.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
The looming discrimination in American schools has contributed greatly in the low graduation rate of the Hispanic students among the blacks who are also a focus for discrimination. The Hispanic students face challenges in the course of receiving their daily curriculum. Because of their supposed inferiority (seen by most of the American teachers and the students), the Hispanic students are usually restricted to participating in the full curriculum. Since academic and healthy social interrelationship is integral in navigating a successful education, Hispanic students are doomed to fail in their endeavor (AEE, 2010). This is because they face a harsh relationship between them and the Native Americans whereby they are the only people who usually suffer from the relationship. As research shows, the Hispanic students do not normally get to participate in the essential student engagement; consequently, making them to be in the verge of dropping out of high school. The students do not have enough time with their teachers (who can address their problems) thereby making them susceptible to dropping out of high school (Levine, 2010). The far distance between the teacher and the students also makes them to be unable in controlling their academic performance. Therefore, the outstanding factor from this is that the students miss the necessary support from their teachers that would make them successful in their transition to high school (Contreras, 2011).
The discrimination in the schools makes the students feel locked out because of their backgrounds. Most of the Hispanic students are from poor backgrounds hence it is always a guarantee that they will not have the same graduation rate with the Native Americans, who usually have enough money. The latter are able, due to their financial positions, to support their students in joining schools with enough resources hence making it easy for their children to be successful in their education (Angel, 2009). They have the chance of achieving success unlike most of the Hispanic students who are likely to fail because of the less academic resources they have in their schools. Because of the usual failures, the students always loose morale in their endeavor consequently making them to consider dropping out as the best option. They seek for other institutions, which will make them, earn money, even if less, than can make them meet the basic needs of life. Research done by the alliance for excellent education shows that low attendance or failing grade always has relevance to the future dropouts (AEE, 2010).
The research shows that most of the students consider themselves being in the path of failure and hence will consider dropping out for other activities (Habley et al, 2012). Therefore, the little resources for the Hispanic students make them to have deficiency in basic skills thereby making them to be unfit for the curriculum.
Chapter 3: Research Design and Methodology
The research design undertaken has put this research study together in order to respond to the arising set of questions. Therefore, the design of this research study functions as a systematic scheme that outlines the methods of the research compilation, the study, details on the manner in which the study reaches its limitations and conclusions of the investigation. The design of the research has not been limited to any kind of research and may consequently integrate both the qualitative and quantitative analysis. Quite notable is the fact that the designing of the research plan is not a simple task as it is a multifaceted topic. However, the design of the research process is dissimilar in this field of the conducted study. Therefore, the techniques of evaluating the design of the research have to be dissimilar depending on the sample variable from the many states.
Nonetheless, the existence of the fundamental research principles hold true for any discipline. The principles entail collaboration, relevance, methodology, originality and ethics. These are the principles from which this research derives its judgment. The method of this research provides the framework guide for the research study. Different methods utilized in the tackling the various concerns are imperative. Therefore, the design of the research is a precise outline that highlights the manner in which the chosen methods were applicable in the responding to research concerns. The preferred methods and design of the research have their regard to be reciprocal procedures that extend well into this study.
Sub-Questions/Sub-Hypotheses
1. What family and student factors contribute to low graduation rates among Hispanic students?
2. What school factors influence the low graduation rates among Hispanic communities?
3. What is the correlation between economic factors and low graduation rates among Hispanic students?
Family and student factors
Parent participation is critical for the education of individuals. This is a problem for the Hispanic community due to the low literacy levels experienced. This is evident on the education of the student from this community since they are mainly to the Spanish language making it difficult for them to learn in America. Taking into account that a majority of individuals comprising the Hispanic community are immigrants, the American education system, is foreign to them. This means that students from the community enrolling to join school will have to adapt to the new system (Lofstrom, 2007). In the research, the effect adapting to the American system and the role of the family will be and its correlation with dropping out determined. This will be by the research question on “What family and student factors are in contributing to low graduation rates among Hispanic students? “. Qualitative research will be to establish this aspect.
Economic factors
Hispanics, due to their low literacy levels, are in areas characterized by low income. This subjects the student to a more arduous life than their counterparts. This affects their education resulting in dropping out and low graduation rates. The research will explore how economic factors and low graduation rates among Hispanics correlate. This aspect will be using qualitative research where the number of students due to economic challenges fails to graduate. This aspect of the research will be by the research question on “what is the correlation between economic factors and low graduation rates among Hispanic students?”
School factors
Schools are mandated to ensure that students are not only educated, but also are their futures are. This means that the curriculum should be inclusive of all students regardless of the background, either cultural or cultural. An inclusive curriculum will motivate students to achieve excellence in school. The research will explore the role of school in the drop out levels realized among the Hispanic community. This will be undertaken even though the research question on what school factors lead to the low graduation rate among the Hispanic community will be put under consideration. Quantitative research will be to determine the impact of the curriculum and relationship between teachers and students on graduation rates among the Hispanic community.
The job done by colleges is poor regarding graduating Hispanic students in spite of their selective policies of admissions. That is equally true for colleges disguised to be Hispanic-serving institutions. This is according to a report by the American Enterprise Institute. Notable is the increasing Hispanic population in the US, which is quickly growing with the academic accomplishment of the Hispanic students, perceived to be crucial in the attaining of the President’s objective regarding the nation having the highest proportion in the world with college graduates by the year 2020. Crosswise the country, about 51 percent of the Hispanic students commencing college education, completes a degree in bachelors after almost six years. This is relatively lower compared to their white counterparts whose percentage level is 59. This disparity remains correct regardless of the capability of the students or the standing of the colleges. Therefore, the Hispanic students do not graduate in large numbers compared to the white students encompassing similar backgrounds of academia across the same ranked colleges, from the least-preferred institutions in the nation to the mainly preferred universities and colleges.
In addition, numerous colleges, which qualify as serving institution of Hispanics, with federal selection that, qualify them for the special finances from the diverse agencies, graduate fewer than half of the Hispanic students enrolled. Reports regarding the graduation rate data from the department of education of the US, group the institutions into classifications founded on the manner in which selection is undertaken concerning the process of admitting students who range from noncompetitive to the most competitive as described by the well-known guide Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges. Examinations carried out on the rates of graduation amongst similarly universities and colleges, which are selective, discovered substantial variation from one institution to another institution in the performance of the Hispanic students. This discovery points out to the fact that whereas the background of students is significant, the practices of the institutions also function as a significant role.
Chapter 4: Significance of the Study
The factors associated with the low graduation rates among Hispanic students are important because they act as a revelation for the government. The government becomes concerned with the challenges that Hispanic students are facing and sees the need to address these problems. The low graduation rate propels the government to addressing the concerns of equal distribution of resources amongst the Hispanic students (Currie, 1996). Other organizations have also come up to subsidize students who might fail to graduate due to lack of enough resources (tuition). The policies that govern the education system have been reviewed to ensure that Hispanic students are not segregated in the learning institutions. Lack of gender, ethnic and racial segregation encourages more Hispanic students to continue with education until they graduate (Currie, 1996).
The government has initiated seminars to educate Hispanic students about the importance of education. The government has also come up with different technologies of delivering instructions to the students to accommodate for their requirements and ensuring that they continue with their education until they graduate. School programs have been initiated to reach the Hispanic parents to educate them about the importance of education. This has helped to ensure that the parents educate their children about the need for studying until they graduate hence eradicating the problem of low graduation rate among Hispanic students.
The study explores the prominent factors that contribute to drop out of Hispanic students before they graduate. The study has concluded that family and student characteristics have a part to play in the low graduation rates. The study makes use of different approaches to come up with the contributing factors that are associated with low graduation rates (Balfanz, 2004). Factors outside the school have been considered because some Hispanics view schooling as irrelevant to their future and that of current students. The study brings out the factors related to increased low graduation rates of Hispanic students. The low graduation rates are viewed as a result of the imbalance of resources the students have and poor structure of the school. The study offers insight on how the issue of low graduation rates among the Hispanic students can be addressed. The study avails opportunities that can influence and lead to an increase in the number of Hispanic students who will be graduating. Factors that have been considered to lead to low graduation rates had a significant effect because the data collected suggest that Hispanic students drop out due to financial constraints. This makes it easy to analyze and come up with convincing findings (Balfanz, 2004).
Researching on this topic is necessary because it shows the academic disparity that exists among various groups of students. A study on the factors leading to low rates of graduation amongst the Hispanic students points out that there is the need to come up with prevention efforts that will aim at stopping Hispanic students from dropping out of school. Through the study, policy makers and scholars will begin focusing on Hispanic students and come up with successful strategies (Fry, 2004). This attention will lead to more intervention and close the achievement gaps that already exist. School funding and education policies will focus on the Hispanic students and provide an engaging learning environment. Researching on the factors will also act as a guide to school leaders and policy makers and through the findings they will meet the needs of the Hispanic students. In general it can be expected that there will be an increased number of Hispanic students who will be graduating. This number will continue increasing in future years signaling the importance of a planning for the students’ long term needs (Fry, 2004).
The job done by colleges is poor regarding graduating Hispanic students in spite of their selective policies of admissions. That is equally true for colleges disguised to be Hispanic-serving institutions. This is according to a report by the American Enterprise Institute. Notable is the increasing Hispanic population in the US, which is quickly growing with the academic accomplishment of the Hispanic students, perceived to be crucial in the attaining of the President’s objective regarding the nation having the highest proportion in the world with college graduates by the year 2020. Crosswise the country, about 51 percent of the Hispanic students commencing college education, completes a degree in bachelors after almost six years. This is relatively lower compared to their white counterparts whose percentage level is 59. This disparity remains correct regardless of the capability of the students or the standing of the colleges. Therefore, the Hispanic students do not graduate in large numbers compared to the white students encompassing similar backgrounds of academia across the same ranked colleges, from the least-preferred institutions in the nation to the mainly-preferred universities and colleges.
In addition, numerous colleges, which qualify as serving institution of Hispanics, with federal selection that, qualify them for the special finances from the diverse agencies, graduate fewer than half of the Hispanic students enrolled. Reports regarding the graduation rate data from the department of education of the US, group the institutions into classifications founded on the manner in which selection is undertaken concerning the process of admitting students who range from noncompetitive to the most competitive as described by the well-known guide Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges. Examinations carried out on the rates of graduation amongst similarly universities and colleges, which are selective, discovered substantial variation from one institution to another institution in the performance of the Hispanic students. This discovery points out to the fact that whereas the background of students is significant, the practices of the institutions also function as a significant role.
The data findings by various researches undertaken, clearly demonstrate that universities and colleges lack the capacity to place all of the culpability on the students for not qualifying to graduate. It is necessary that questioning of whether the US can attain the educational goal by the president is achievable given the general low rates of college completion by the growing Hispanic community. The Census Bureau estimates about 37 percent of the forty four million Hispanic US citizens, fall below the age of twenty years and by the year 2020, the Hispanics will constitute about 22 percent of the college/university-age population of the nation. The expectation is that these students will replace the baby boomers and such will be depended upon to propel the economy of the country in the subsequent numerous decades.
The government has initiated seminars to educate Hispanic students about the importance of education. The government has also come up with different technologies of delivering instructions to the students to accommodate for their requirements and ensuring that they continue with their education until they graduate. School programs have been initiated to reach the Hispanic parents to educate them about the importance of education. This has helped to ensure that the parents educate their children about the need for studying until they graduate hence eradicating the problem of low graduation rate among Hispanic students.
The study explores the prominent factors that contribute to drop out of Hispanic students before they graduate. The study has concluded that family and student characteristics have a part to play in the low graduation rates. The study makes use of different approaches to come up with the contributing factors that are associated with low graduation rates (Balfanz, 2004). Factors outside the school have been considered because some Hispanics view schooling as irrelevant to their future and that of current students. The study brings out the factors related to increased low graduation rates of Hispanic students. The low graduation rates are viewed because of the imbalance of resources the students have and poor structure of the school. The study offers insight on how the issue of low graduation rates among the Hispanic students can be addressed. The study avails opportunities that can influence and lead to an increase in the number of Hispanic students who will be graduating. Factors that have been considered to lead to low graduation rates had a significant effect because the data collected suggest that Hispanic students drop out due to financial constraints. This makes it easy to analyze and come up with convincing findings (Balfanz, 2004).
The data findings by various researches undertaken, clearly demonstrate that universities and colleges lack the capacity to place all of the culpability on the students for not qualifying to graduate. It is necessary that questioning of whether the US can attain the educational goal by the president is achievable given the general low rates of college completion by the growing Hispanic community. The Census Bureau estimates about 37percent of the forty four million Hispanic US citizens, fall below the age of twenty years and by the year 2020, the Hispanics will constitute about 22 percent of the college/university-age population of the nation. The expectation is that these students will replace the baby boomers and such will depend upon to propel the economy of the country in the subsequent numerous decades.
Researching on this topic is necessary because it shows the academic disparity that exists among various groups of students. A study on the factors leading to low rates of graduation amongst the Hispanic students points out that there is the need to come up with prevention efforts that will aim at stopping Hispanic students from dropping out of school. Through the study, policy makers and scholars will begin focusing on Hispanic students and come up with successful strategies (Fry, 2004). This attention will lead to more intervention and close the achievement gaps that already exist. School funding and education policies will focus on the Hispanic students and provide an engaging learning environment. Researching on the factors will also act as a guide to school leaders and policy makers and through the findings, they will meet the needs of the Hispanic students. In general, it can be expected that there will be an increased number of Hispanic students who will be graduating. This number will continue increasing in future years signaling the importance of a planning for the students’ long term needs (Fry, 2004).
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