Pennsylvania Latino Convention addresses population growth and education challenges
EASTON, Pa. —
The Pennsylvania Latino Convention in Easton, held during Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated the state’s growing Latino population while addressing challenges in education.
“Pennsylvania is home to 1.3 million Latinos, representing 10% of the state’s total population. We are one of the fastest-growing communities in the commonwealth, driving a major share of statewide population growth,” experts said during the event.
Experts highlighted that while Latinos have been integrated into Pennsylvania’s workforce, their children often face struggles in the education system.
“More than 195,000 Latino students are enrolled in K-12 education, which is about 10% of all Pennsylvania students. Enrollment continues to rise in both urban and suburban districts. Yet, inequities persist. According to the 2019 report from the Pennsylvania Latino Convention, there is a disproportionate number of Latino youths in lower academic courses. The lack of bilingual and bicultural mental health and counseling services is something that we must address. This is something that we must address,” experts said.
Recommendations discussed during the convention included hiring more bilingual teachers, teaching staff, and school psychologists to better support the state’s increasingly diverse schools.