According to figures released by the National School Choice Week organization, 59% of parents of Hispanic and Latino origin have considered finding a new or different school for at least one of their children in the last year.

With the objective of finding options that allow their children to improve their academic performance and find a place where they can feel more comfortable, these searches seek to reduce school dropout rates and increase the chances of success.

Access to information

Although the number of educational opportunities for members of diverse communities is reduced or non-existent, school choice has seen changes in some states.

The biggest changes have been seen in West Virginia and Arizona, where programs were approved to allow the community to have access to more options outside of traditional public school, an initiative where Hispanic families have benefited.

Calling all Hispanic parents! Do you have questions about schools in the United States?

Discover @OpciondeEscuela and find out everything you need to know about the options available. #SchoolChoiceWeek #OpcionesEscolares #schoolchoice pic.twitter.com/DvkGpUJzTK

— School Choice Week (@schoolchoicewk) September 19, 2022

National School Choice Week also highlighted how, according to the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, the national decline in mathematics (eight points in 8th grade and five points in 4th grade) was the largest drop in the last three decades, with the most affected being Black and Latino communities.

“Now that there are more options for Latinos, it is invaluable to be aware of the information available and the resources that families can access. If you think that your kid is not a good fit for their current school, as a parent you have options. There’s evidence that when we make it easier for parents to choose, they make good choices for their child’s education. We’ve seen the positive impact that school options have had in places like Miami, Philadelphia and Phoenix,” as was highlighted by the organization. 

National School Choice Week 2023

To spread this type of information on a larger scale is National School Choice Week — one of the most important educational weeks in the country, which will offer personalized assistance for Latino families.

The week of awareness and educational opportunities, which will take place from Jan. 22 to 28, 2023, will offer information in Spanish for families who need it.

“Latino students will make up nearly 30% of all public school enrollment by the end of the decade, and this is the moment to act and offer the Hispanic community the best opportunity to succeed in bringing equality. Having various options ensures that kids don’t get stuck with the fact of not being happy at their current school. It’s not crazy to say that school choices can be the difference between a child being bullied in their classroom and being loved, respected, and appreciated. With school choice, we can reduce the rates of school drop and raise success possibilities. It’s vital for families to be aware of their possibilities,” highlighted the organization.