Latinos want to talk about education more than immigration

By Julio Fuentes 
While the political class may be arguing about immigration policy, Aurora Espinoza has one focus: obtaining the best education possible for her two daughters.
"To me it's the most important thing in life: getting a good education for my kids," said the Nevada resident. "I didn't finish high school and have to work several jobs to get by. An education will make a difference in their lives and help them get a better job."

Latinos such as Espinoza are focused more on their children and making a better life for the next generation than almost any other issue. That's why she was among the first to sign up for a new school choice program being offered in her state. It will give $5,700 in an Education Savings Account per child that can be used on a variety of education expenses, including private school tuition.

A new national survey by the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice finds that parents such as Espinoza are common across the country. Education is a top priority among Latinos — even more than immigration and a host of other issues — and their support for school choice is higher than the general population and other demographics.

Espinoza says it may be because parents such as her cannot afford to move to fancy suburban neighborhoods with good schools. As such, her children currently attend one of the worst public schools in Las Vegas.
The national survey interviewed 532 Latinos and found that seven out of 10 support some of type of school choice, including vouchers, tax credit scholarships and ESAs — the newest version of school choice policy. Seventy-one percent of Latinos said they support school vouchers, compared with 61 percent nationwide. Seventy-six percent said they support tax credit scholarships, compared with 60 percent nationwide. And 73 percent of Latinos favor ESA policies, compared to 62 percent across the country.

Parents such as Espinoza also can't afford private school tuition and want other choices. Based on federal statistics, the Friedman report estimates that 92 percent of Latino children attend traditional public schools. Yet almost half of those surveyed said they would prefer a private school.
That's why in Nevada and 27 other states, school choice programs are wildly popular. And in many cases that is especially true among Latinos. In Florida, for example, 38 percent of tax-credit scholarships have been awarded to Latinos. Many of those seeking school choice are minorities escaping schools that don't offer their children a hope or a future.

Too often, Latino parents worry about their children during school hours. They complain about discipline problems in their neighborhood school, violence and bullying among students, poor academics. As a result their children are not learning the skills they need to survive, and thrive, in this country. Others say they don't agree with the values taught in the public school.

So while the politicians may argue about immigration policy, recent immigrants are focused on how to become more productive citizens and have their children earn good wages and contribute to the American economy.
They know that the only way that can happen is with a good education. And they want one that can only be found among an array of options and possibilities — public or private — by way of educational choice.