Latinos now majority in state schools

Nov. 10, 2010
By FERMIN LEAL
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Latinos now make up the majority of students in California public schools, according to new figures released by the state Department of Education.

More than 50 percent of all 6.2 million students enrolled in the state's k-12 schools in 2009-10 were Latinos. It's the first time ever the group made up the majority of state public school enrollment.

In Orange County, about 47 percent of 502,275 students were Latino, while 32 percent were white, 14 percent were Asian and 2 percent were black.

Statewide, 27 percent of students were identified as white, 9 percent were black and 6.9 percent were Asian.

Click here to see data on each O.C. school district, the county total and the state total.

In 2008-09, 49 percent of students statewide were Latino, 28 percent of students were white, 7 percent were black and 8 percent were Asian. Locally last year, 45 percent of students were Latino, 28 percent were white, 8 percent were Asian and 2 percent were black.

The data also show that overall enrollment in the state and Orange County continues to steadily decline. About 2,000 fewer students attended public schools locally, while the state had about 16,000 students less.

State officials, educators and researchers have attributed several factors to a decline in enrollment. They include the lower birth rate of school-aged children in general, and the high rate of younger families leaving the state because of the sagging economy.

Over recent years, private school enrollment has also gradually declined, mirroring public school trends.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3773 or fleal@ocregister.com

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