Growth in college admissions for Hispanics lags behind goal

AUSTIN — College enrollment is increasing in Texas universities and community colleges, but the Hispanic growth rate is not enough to close the gaps, according to an annual progress report released Thursday.
Hispanic legislative leaders blame rising tuition and insufficient student financial assistance for the trend that could make it hard for the state to meet "closing-the-gaps" goals developed seven years ago.
Hispanic enrollment in Texas universities and community colleges has increased by 60,019 during the past four years. It will have to increase by 140,036 students over the next four years to meet a 2010 target — and by 342,136 more students to meet the final 2015 goal in the 15-year plan.
"We have a lot of work to do," Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes said.
"We are coming up short, and people think that we are failing miserably. The fact is, we are making steady progress but not as much as we would like," Paredes said after the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board released the report.
The report indicates that Texas is keeping pace to meet or surpass 12 of the 19 goals, such as total college enrollment and the awarding of doctoral degrees.
Paredes is hopeful that the new recommended high school curriculum that takes effect next year will help overcome a nagging difficulty in increasing Hispanic college enrollment.

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