Note: please note that this page should (a) link back to the issue overview on this topic, (b) be focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (c) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items. See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you.
Related issue overview: Latino Higher Education and Immigration - Related Factors
Scope of the Problem factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past, current, or future
As the fastest growing minority population in Washington State, the Latino population in K-12 schools has grown by 372 percent since 1986.[1]
Latino students comprised 14.6% of the K-12 population in Fall 2007, and are expected to experience a 150% growth in population by 2030. [2]
Alarmingly, only 56.9% of Washington Latino students in the 2005 cohort graduated from high school and less than 25% graduated college-ready.[3]
While only 7.7% of caucasian parents have less than a high school diploma, 43.8% of Latino parents did not graduate from high school, which translates into low income and high poverty rates.[4]
It is imperative in this global and education-based economy that all students have de facto access to the equal public education that is guaranteed de jure in the national community, both for the well being of the individual and the economic advantage of an educated work force – since nearly 20 percent of kindergartners in Washington State are Latino, in less than 20 years the work force will consequently be comprised of one Latino for every 4 non-Latino individuals.[5]
Latinos living in the states with a in-state tuition policy were 1.54 times more likely to enroll in college after the enactment of the policies compared to students in states without such legislation.[1]
Past Policy key legislation and milestones including significant policy and funding shifts, major studies, etc.
H.B. 1079 - Introduced by Representative Phyllis Gutierrez-Kenney (D-Seattle) and Governor Gary Locke signed House Bill 1079 into law May 7, 2003. (See bill)
The signing of this bill allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities beginning July 1, 2003.[2]
Amends definition of resident students of Washington State as defined in RCW 28B.15.012, thereby allowing qualifying undocumented students to pay in-state tuition prices[3]
However, this law does not allow undocumented students eligibility for need-based state financial aid.
As of May 2010, Texas, New York, California, Washington, Utah, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Wisconsin passed similar legislation that allows undocumented students (with similar qualifications) to pay in-state tuition. [4]
Current Policy summary of current policies in the form of legislation, programs, and funding
H.B. 1706 (See Bill) - Introduced in 2009 by Representative Dave Quall (D - Mt. Vernon) and reintroduced in 2010 to Washington State Legislature but has yet to be passed.
The WSU Tri-Cities GEAR UP grant currently manages the One Vision and Harvest of Hope Partnerships which provide over $23 million towards early intervention efforts for cohorts of students in local school districts with more than 50% of students eligible for free or reduced lunches.[6]
GEAR UP efforts are shifting from dropout prevention to an emphasis on academic rigor through the Partnership's support of AVID elective classes, Literacy First, tutoring services, summer programs, and remedial classes.[7]
The Walla Walla School District will pioneer a new case management program, Check and Connect, which provides individualized mentorship and accountability to students and their families.[8]
Abriendo Puertas, a program developed by Texas A&M University, focuses on acculturating new families with limited English proficiency that have moved into the school district into the school system and has achieved limited success due to lack of bilingual staff.[9]
Key Organizations/Individuals contacts for public and private organizations and key individuals
Washington State University and Tri-Cities GEAR UP - http://gearupserv.tricity.wsu.edu/v3/
Learn more about the Harvest of Hope and One Vision Partnerships that currently fund the GEAR UP programs in Eastern Washington. The site includes a news feed of local projects that are facilitating academic preparation and awareness of higher education in its partner school districts.
Higher Education Coordinating Board. http://www.hecb.wa.gov/collegeprep/gu/guindex.asp
Bibliography web sites, reports, articles, and other reference material
Footnotes