Rising As a Collective: How the Latino Vote Can Shape the Future of Education

As we approach the upcoming presidential election, the stakes for the Latino community couldn’t be higher. Elections aren’t just about political candidates or parties; they are about the future of our children, our schools, and the opportunities that lie ahead for the next generation. Latinos are the fastest-growing demographic in the United States and this election is a chance to ensure that our voices are heard, and our priorities are reflected in the policies that will shape education and opportunity for years to come.?

While this space is typically reserved for insights on leadership, for this month’s newsletter, I’ve decided to take a departure from my usual content because it's so important that we rise to our civic responsibilities given our collective, powerful voice as Latinos.??

Far too often, our voices are not included in the political discourse, especially when it comes to the education of Latino children who today make up 29% of all public pre-K-12 students nationwide. There is no doubt that the future success of the United States lies in the success of Latino children.??

As Latino leaders dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of our communities, it’s crucial that we recognize and elevate the voices and priorities that shape our collective future. That is why recently, Latinos for Education conducted a comprehensive survey to understand the unique perspectives and priorities of the Latino community in education.?

The report, titled Voces Latinas: A Survey of Voter Priorities in Education , captured the voices of hundreds of Latino teachers, parents, and education leaders in our network across the country. It sheds light on the critical issues our comunidad is facing in education and one thing is clear: while Latinos are not a monolith, we share many common priorities, particularly when it comes to education.??

Education is a unifying issue we can all rally behind. In a time where political and social divides often dominate the conversation, this issue offers us the common ground we need to rise as a collective and push for meaningful change.?

The survey revealed strong support for priorities that would grant our students greater opportunities to succeed such as increased federal investment in education, bilingual and dual language programs, and college affordability.??

Over 95% of respondents support increased federal spending on early education, K-12, and vocational technical education. This call for investment is not just a wish—it is a demand from Latino educators and families to ensure that our children have the resources they need to succeed in school and beyond.?

Additionally, 94% of respondents believe access to bilingual and dual language programs is critical for student success, yet only 43% reported having access to them in their children’s schools. This gap is a stark reminder of the inequities Latino students face and a call to action for our leaders to expand these programs, recognizing the value of linguistic diversity in enriching education.?

The survey also revealed a deep concern around college affordability and readiness. A full 90% of respondents worry about the impact of student debt on their or their children’s futures, and 92% are concerned about the cost of college. The need for pathways to higher education is clear, with 95% of respondents supporting opportunities for high school students to earn college credits. Addressing these issues is crucial if we are to ensure that Latino students not only enter but also thrive in higher education.?

In line with a focus on opportunity, the survey showed overwhelming support for Dreamers, with 91% of respondents advocating for federal financial aid for these students and 96% supporting a pathway to citizenship. This demonstrates the commitment of our network to inclusive policies that offer all students, regardless of immigration status, the chance to succeed.?

And, as one might expect, the importance of educator diversity also emerged as a central theme. A total of 91% of respondents agreed that having race-matched teachers—educators who reflect the racial or ethnic background of their students—plays a crucial role in student success. Research backs this up, showing that students with race-matched teachers are more likely to stay in school, perform better academically, and pursue higher education.?

This election offers an opportunity to push for meaningful change that ensures all Latino children receive the high-quality education they deserve from the very start.?

However, none of this change is possible without action. While the survey results highlight the needs and priorities of the Latino community, we cannot influence the future of our children without ensuring that our voices are heard—loud and clear—at the ballot box. As Latinos, we have a responsibility to educate candidates and our own comunidad about these issues and mobilize voter turnout that reflects our growing numbers across the nation.??

That’s why I’m proud to share that the findings of our report were shared with the leading presidential candidates in an effort to elevate the voices of our network and raise awareness of the most pressing issues for Latinos in education. Additionally, I’m excited that we at Latinos for Education are partnering with Voto Latino this election season to make sure ALL our communities are registering and have a plan to vote. You can do so, by visiting www.votaconganas.org .???

The numbers are on our side, but we must convert those numbers into influence. The future of our children, our schools, and our community depends on our participation. Voting is the most powerful tool we have to ensure that the policies shaping education are aligned with the needs of Latino families.??