Is dropout rate leading to economic stagnation for Latinos?

Latinos, despite being a significant labor force in the country's economic recovery, will continue to be concentrated in low-paying jobs in agriculture, fishing, cleaning services and construction, according to a report by the National Council of La Raza.

The economic stagnation is due in large part because nearly one-half of Latino teenagers drop out before finishing high school, according to the report, which argues that insufficient education translates into greater difficulties when former students are looking for a job.

"Keeping in mind that Hispanics are going to represent a very important segment in the future labor force, it's crucial to reengage these young people in their training, educate them, to be able to place these kids, who now are at risk of social exclusion, on the road to quality employment and economic stability," La Raza's director for Workforce and Leadership Development, Simon Lopez, told the Spanish language news agency EFE.

What will it take to bring the nation's Latino students on par with the overall graduation rate? Comment here or e-mail us at editor@nodropouts.org