WASHINGTON, D.C. - Hispanic Americans overwhelmingly support key elements of President George W. Bush’s education reform legislation, according to a revealing new first-of-its-kind study on the opinions of the nation’s Hispanic adults. The President’s reform bill, the No Child Left Behind Act (H.R. 1), was approved May 23^rd by a bipartisan vote of 384-45.

            House Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH) today welcomed the poll of 1,000 adults - the first comprehensive survey of Hispanics since the 2000 census that was conducted in both Spanish and English - which shows education is a top priority among the country’s largest minority group. The poll, conducted by the Latino Coalition and the Hispanic Business Roundtable, also found significant support for President Bush and his specific education proposals, including private school choice for students in failing public schools and reforming bilingual education programs to ensure that immigrant children have the chance to learn English well.

            In the survey, 16 percent of respondents said prejudice was the most important issue facing Latinos in the U.S. today, and 13 percent said it was quality of education. According to a National Education Goal Panel report released earlier this year, only two states have successfully reduced the reading achievement gap between white students and Hispanic students in recent years. On average, white students scored 29 points ahead of Hispanics on standardized reading tests. The President’s legislation is aimed at closing such gaps and improving education for all students.

            In June, the Education & the Workforce panel became the first congressional committee to launch a Spanish-language website, a Spanish version of its official No Child Left Behind education site (http://edworkforce.house.gov/spanish). The site explains the President’s education reform proposals, including the President’s initiative to promote English fluency and parental choice among students who are limited English proficient.

            The House and Senate have begun the process of putting the finishing touches on the President’s education plan. Under the House plan introduced by Boehner, parents must give their consent before a limited English proficient (LEP) child can be placed in any class not taught primarily in English. Furthermore, the bill requires states to show progress in moving LEP students to English proficiency. The Latino Coalition survey shows strong support in the Hispanic community for the President’s reforms.

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