Measuring the Goal: U.S. Educational Attainment Among Latino 25- to 34- Year-Olds

What is this measure, and why is this measure important?
This indicator monitors the percentage of Latino adults, 25 to 34 years old, in the United States who attained at least an associate degree or higher. Measuring degree attainment among this particular demographic is critical considering the United States' goal of increasing the number of citizens who have postsecondary training. As our country strives for global competitiveness and continually moves away from a postindustrial economy, training a new generation of workers becomes increasingly important.

Trends over time
The Latino community has experienced unprecedented demographic growth in the United States in the past five decades, yet Latinos educational attainment has not kept pace over the past 40 years. Such disparate educational progress across this rapidly growing population has stark consequences for the entire nation, as Latinos will make up a large segment of the future workforce. If the Latino workers of the future are not adequately educated, then the United States will not reach any of the college completion goals that have been set by the Obama Administration, Lumina Foundation, or the College Board.

When interpreting this measure, what should be kept in mind?
As the United States works to achieve the goal of 55 percent of young Americans with an associate degree or higher, particular attention must be given to those populations of Americans who have experienced inequitable gains in our primary and secondary education system. For example, through improving the educational outcomes of Latino students, our nation's goal becomes achievable. Conversely, if these longstanding racial/ethnic and income disparities persist, it is highly unlikely that the United States will regain a competitive ranking in the global economy.