FY 2000 Annual Report of the University System of Georgia < Previous | Next >
Hispanic children

The Changing Face
      of Georgia

The University System Moves to Meet
Hispanic Educational Needs

One of the most significant, long-term changes occurring in Georgia is the explosive growth of the state's Hispanic population. And with that growth comes new demands on the state's educational system.

During the past year, the University System of Georgia proactively addressed higher education access for this growing population, knowing that in the long-term, a well-educated Hispanic community will help Georgia continue its outstanding record of economic vitality.

SEEING THE ROADBLOCKS:
Barriers exist that make it difficult for Georgia's Latino students to gain full access to post-secondary education. The three main barriers are:

ASSESSING THE TRENDS AND LAYING
THE GROUNDWORK:
The Regents formed a Hispanic Task Force that reviewed current data and future demographic implications of the state's Hispanic population, summed up in a "Report of the Hispanic Task Force of the Board of Regents."

Georgia's Hispanic population is currently at 475,000 and will increase to more than one million by 2020.

REMOVING THE BARRIERS:
The Task Force Report provided a number of recommendations designed to remove barriers. The recommendations address academic programs, increased collaborative efforts with other organizations, new marketing efforts regarding the value of education, and increased recruitment of Hispanic students.

The Regents' Hispanic initiative was partially funded by the Georgia General Assembly. Its focus is to increase the number of teachers of English as a Second Language and to market higher education opportunities to Hispanic students.

LET'S LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

  • The average age of Georgia's Hispanics is 26.4 years old, compared to 36.9 for the total population. This creates significant impacts on the state's educational system and labor market.
  • The buying power of Georgia's Latino population is among the fastest-growing in the nation, currently accounting for more than $3 billion annually.
  • Georgia's economic base and growth are attracting increasing numbers of Latin-American-based companies. In fact, Latin America represents the greatest single-source region of international business investment in Georgia.

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©2001 University System of Georgia Board of Regents