Schools to get influx of minorities

Public and higher education systems alike had better start preparing for an influx of minority students, a trend expert warned the State Board of Regents.

"As we become quite quickly more diverse, we have to rethink and recognize how we deliver education," said Pam Perlich, senior research economist for the University of Utah's Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

"It's in our interest to see these kids all the way through the system successfully," she said. "They are our kids — the next generation."

Perlich presented data to the regents on Thursday during their study session in St. George. Her statements are based on census data, as well as her own analysis of the numbers.

Higher Education Commissioner William A. Sederburg is recommending the regents take into consideration these minority growth factors and make any necessary adjustments to strategic goals and objectives for 2015 and beyond.

Perlich said one-third of the population growth in Utah right now is minority in general, through births and migration.

A large portion of the minority group is Hispanic and only four out of 10 of these students are graduating from high school due to high dropout rates. Data also indicates extremely low participation rates of Hispanic students in higher education, she said.

"This has long-term implications for the economic success and viability of our state," Perlich said.

The growth in diverse populations right now is with the young age groups. One-third of preschool-age children in Salt Lake County are members of a minority. One-fourth of preschool-age kids statewide are minority, Perlich said.

These children will move through the public education system and potentially on into higher education, she said. "It's a pipeline — it's a process," Perlich said.

However, teachers simply aren't prepared to address the ethnic, racial, linguistic and cultural differences, she said. "We don't want to under-serve one-fourth to one-third of the population," Perlich said. "We are an affluent society. We can afford more funding for education. We need to provide for kids to compete globally."

Perlich added that by about 2045, the "minority will be majority" in the United States. Utah, which is more homogenous, will likely be one-third minority population at that time.

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