DNC's Hispanic Caucus Commends Latino Leadership in Congress for Commitment to Progress on the No Child Left Behind Act

Following a Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force forum Wednesday, Hispanic Democrats in the Senate delivered their fellow Senators an issue briefing on why the No Child Left Behind reauthorization has to take into account the needs of Latino students. Today, the Democratic National Committee's Hispanic Caucus applauded the commitment of Latino leaders in the House and in the Senate to ensuring that Latino students get the tools necessary to succeed academically and in the workforce.

The growth among the Latino population has surpassed that of all other ethnic groups, with nearly one in five K-12 students in the United States of Latino background today. However, there is an achievement gap as evidenced by staggering high school drop out rates, almost half of all Latino students do not graduate from high school, and Latino students continue to fall through the cracks, consistently under-performing.

"With a Democratic majority in Congress, we now have Hispanic elected officials in leadership roles in the House and Senate who are giving the Hispanic community a much needed voice," said DNC Hispanic Caucus Chair Ramona Martinez. "The reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act must include provisions to fulfill America's promise of equal opportunity for all of America's children, regardless of their ethnic background. Our Latino Democrats in Washington are working hard to ensure that no Latino student is left behind or overlooked by flawed policies. They deserve commendation for their efforts. In the end, the biggest reward from those efforts will come for all Americans who will benefit from the success students themselves can find when given the chance to succeed."

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