WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR AN URBAN LATINO

STUDENT?

What is The Value of a College Education For an Urban Latino Student?

Yuricel Castaneda

Los Angeles Leadership Academy

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR AN URBAN LATINO
STUDENT?

Abstract

This report summarizes the research on the importance of a college education for an

urban Latino student. According to research conducted and reported, from PewReasearch

Center, The biggest reason for the gap between the high value Latinos place in education and

their more modest aspirations to finish college appears to come from financial pressure to

support a family. (Lopez 2009). Urban Latino students may value a college education, but

struggle to actually attend college because of their financial status. This is important because it

explains the value and desire of a college education for an urban Latino student; it also brings a

focus to their interest in attending college. This research paper is about the value of a college

education for an urban Latino student, and its also open to students, teachers, parents or anyone

who would like to read it.

Keywords: College, an educational institution or establishment, in particular.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR AN URBAN LATINO
STUDENT?
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR AN URBAN LATINO
STUDENT?

What is the value of a college education for an urban latino student?

The value of a college education for an urban Latino students is imperative. Many

Hispanic students begin formal schooling without the economic and social resources that many

others students receive. Today, many Latino parents believe that a college degree is necessary for

obtaining a stable and meaningful job. Schhneider B, Martinez S, Ownes (2006). However, not

all Hispanic students have the ability to go to college because they arent financially stable, and

its too expensive. Many states treat undocumented students like foreign students.

Undocumented immigrants are not always eligible for financial aid.

Background Information Immigrant Students

Many Latino students are immigrants, but that doesnt stop them from wanting a higher

education. Lopez (2009), believes states in his research that less than one-in-three (29%)

immigrant Latinos ages 18 to 25 say they plan to get a bachelors degree or more, half the share

(60%) of native-born state the same. A number of students reach for a higher education instead

of remaining with a high school diploma. Many colleges are becoming more open about

supporting undocumented students.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR AN URBAN LATINO
STUDENT?

In order to advance the educational system and advance Latinos in the job market,

education is imperative to this growth mindset. Nearly (88%) Hispanics agree that a college

degree is important for getting ahead in life, greater than the share (74%) of the general public

that says the same (Lopez, 2009). Hispanic students are more likely to stay in college when

there are bridge programs available to help students succeed. Student organizations as well as

having support from family and friends. The more resources they have, the more a student's

benefits because they are being helped by other people as well as expanding their way of

thinking and what type of education they aspire to receive. The study found that poor advising

services and challenging academic rigor are perceived to be the greatest obstacles for Hispanic

college students. Schools

Financial Pressure.

In a survey taken by Pew Research Center, Lopez, concluded that Nearly three-quarters

(74%) of all 16 to 25-year-old survey respondents who cut their education short during or right

after high school say they did so because they had to support their family, (2009). Many Latino

students believe that when they go farther than just having a high school diploma it will help not

only them but their family as well. However, when they realize their parents are having financial

problems they forget about school and start working immediately to be able to help their

parents.As a result of the close relations shared, education is key to financial growth and

stability.

Low Expectations.
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR AN URBAN LATINO
STUDENT?

Sometimes students have low expectations for themselves, they may feel they can not

afford a college education. Whats more, some students may even think that college is an

impossible task because they have not witnessed anyone in their family attending college,

Castro recalls his mother taking him and his twin brother, Joaquin, to a public middle school

where the academic expectations were so low, a teacher said only half of those in the school

would likely to go on to graduate from high school. Mrs. Castro took the boys and left.

(Walsh,2013). As more Latinos are seeking a higher education, some just see the issue that

demonstrates that Latino Students underperform and are at higher risk of dropping out so they

make them realize that they can not make it. There are some issues that influence the school

success of Latino students and how schools and communities can collaborate in order to support

academic achievement. Agreeing to what Mark Walsh (2013) said, some students like to think

the negative. Because knowing that they came from Mexico and they go to school here in the

United States to learn english, they grow up thinking they would never have the perfect way to

speak with others.

Along these lines, different researchers who have conducted studies on Hispanic first

generation college students have done so using a majority of theories and concepts as

frameworks which seek to understand students backgrounds and experiences holistically and

without the assignment of deficits, (Reyes 2012). As in Noras (2003) The level of student

engagement has a lot to do with how students do or do not withdraw and their persistence

personal characteristics, including environmental circumstances. Some of the studies conducted

have examined the experiences of Latino first-generation college and have stated that the climate

on a campus location has a lot to do with students feeling accepted on campus and their level of

comfort in a new environment.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR AN URBAN LATINO
STUDENT?

Interestingly as the Hispanic population grows, the number of Hispanic students entering

college is also expected to increase (Eva 2010). Although the growth of pre prepared Hispanic

students has also increased in the last decades, sadly, the Hispanic students continue to

underperform compared to other student groups, (Miller & Garcia, 2004). The growing

Hispanic population has contributed to the larger representation of Hispanic students in college,

and the trend is expected to continue until 2050. However, Hispanic students have higher

attrition and institutions struggle to develop effective retention programs (Miller & Garcia,

2004). It is important to continue the trend and study what factors can improve retention rates in

college and in general education.

Conclusion

This research also concludes that numerous Latino students value a college education,

but through obstacles that stop them from having that type of education. Although, some

students struggle, others dont worry and are eager to continue their education. Not every student

is the same however, which is why there are a lot of Latino students who finish with a college

degree while others work. This research paper also includes the experiences of Hispanic students

attending college. By gathering qualitative data that touched upon support services, social and

academic influences, campus climate sense of belonging, cultural influences, and challenges.

Latino students who continue on with their education have a positive impact on their life.

Latino students who continue on with their education have a positive impact on their life. For

example, they earn more money, some earn respect as a student who is an immigrant who gained

an education and also are working and doing something they love. Also, many other Latino can

look up to them.
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR AN URBAN LATINO
STUDENT?

References

Lopez, Mark Hugo (2009). Latinos and Education: Explaining the Attainment Gap

Pew Reasearch Center. Retrieved from http://www

.pewhispanic

.org/2009/10/07/latinos-and-education-explaining-the-attainment-gap/

Martinez, Eva (2010). Hispanic Students in Higher Education

Marquette University. Retrieved from

http://epublications.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?

article=1010&context=cps_professional

Miller, L.S., & Garcia, E.E. (2004). Better informing efforts to increase Latino student success in
higher education. Education and Urban Society, 36(2), 189-204.
Doi:10.1177/0013124503261329

Salis Reyes, Nicole Alia (2012). Lost Among Data: A Review of Latino First Generation

College Student
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR AN URBAN LATINO
STUDENT?

The University of Texas at San Antonio. Retrieved from

http://www.hacu.net/images/hacu/OPAI/H3ERC/2012_papers/Reyes%20nora%20-

%20rev%20of%201st%20gen%20latino%20college%20students%20-%202012.pdf

Salis Reyes, Nicole Alid & Nora, Amaury (2012). White paper prepared for the Hispanic

Association of Colleges and Universities Lost Among the Data : A Review of Latino First

Generation College Students. Retrieved from

http://www.hacu.net/images/hacu/OPAI/H3ERC/2012_papers/Reyes%20nora%20-%20rev

%20of%201st%20gen%20latino%20college%20students%20-%202012.pdf

Walsh, Mark (2013). PBS Documentary focuses on six Latino students who made the grade

Education And the Media. Retrieved from

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/education_and_the_media/2013/10/pbs_documentary_fo

cuses_on_six_latino_students_who_made_the_grade.html

Schhneider B, Martinez S, Ownes A. (2006) Barriers to Educational Opportunities for

Hispanics in the United States. In: National Research Council (US) Panel on Hispanics in the

United States; Tienda M, Mitchell F, editors. Hispanics and the Future of America.

Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2006. 6. Available from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19909/