Idaho Hispanic Dropout Rate Dropping

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A new batch of education data shows the dropout rate among Idaho Hispanic students is on the decline. Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs Director Margie Gonzalez says the dropout rate in 2009-10 was just 1.72 percent — down from 8.2 percent in 2000-01 and 12.7 percent during the 1993-94 school year. The Spokesman-Review also reports that Hispanic students have made big gains in vocabulary tests and that a record number of Hispanics students are enrolling in higher education classes.

Gonzalez shared the new statistics last week with legislative budget writers. Hispanics make up the state's largest minority group, representing 11.9 percent of the population in 2011. As a result, Gonzalez told lawmakers that more than 45,800 Hispanics are attending public schools — nearly double the total from 2003.