July 23, 2024
Detroit Future City (DFC), the think-and-do tank focused on advancing economic equity in Detroit, released the “Prosperidad Económica: Education and Workforce Outcomes for Detroit’s Latino/Hispanic Community” brief to shed light on disparities across critical equity issues related to education and workforce in Detroit’s Latino/Hispanic community. The brief builds upon DFC’s extensive research portfolio, particularly “The State of Economic Equity in Detroit” report released in 2021, which tracked Detroit’s progress toward a more economically equitable future.
“DFC’s State of Economic Equity report uncovered some distinct challenges Latino/Hispanic Detroiters are facing, and we wanted to dig deeper into this data to bring attention to where this significant community stands within the growth of our city,” said Anika Goss, DFC CEO. “With the immense contributions Latino/Hispanic Detroiters provide to Detroit’s cultural and economic fabric, it’s critical to understand and address how we can help this community fully participate in the city’s growth.”
In the development of “Prosperidad Económica: Education and Workforce Outcomes for Detroit’s Latino/Hispanic Community,” DFC convened a research advisory group comprised of stakeholders who are part of and work with the Latino/Hispanic community to provide further insight into the context surrounding this brief.
Classroom challenges
Education is widely recognized as a catalyst of economic mobility, and level of educational attainment significantly influences the ability of individuals to participate and excel in the workforce. “Prosperidad Económica: Education and Workforce Outcomes for Detroit’s Latino/Hispanic Community” highlights opportunities to improve educational outcomes for Latino/Hispanic Detroiters’ and the need to actively work across systems to support Latino/Hispanic Detroiters’ success in the classroom and in accessing jobs.
The brief acknowledges that many Latino/Hispanic Detroiters may be the first in their family to have completed high school or college, despite having lived in the city for multiple generations, and they often shoulder familial commitments and financial responsibilities early on that can prevent them from participating in afterschool programs or completing high school diplomas or advanced degrees. The brief recognizes the need for additional resources in the classroom to support Latino/Hispanic students’
success and highlights a range of other external factors and wraparound services that also impact student learning. The gaps in educational attainment feed into challenges Latinos/Hispanics face when it comes to obtaining employment that often has minimum degree requirements.
English/Language Arts (ELA) proficiency for third graders is a key indicator of a child’s educational progress, with lower competency in foundational skills like reading correlating to increased school dropout rates. Data in the brief shows only 10% of Latino/Hispanic third graders in Detroit were proficient in ELA, compared to 27% in the region and 29% statewide. Furthermore, between 2019 and 2022, there was a citywide 5-percentage-point drop in third grade ELA proficiency, impacting racial/ethnic groups across the board. The decline was most pronounced among Latino/Hispanic students who experienced a decrease of 9 percentage points.
As it relates to educational attainment, 45% of Latino/Hispanic Detroiters had not completed their high school education or obtained its equivalent, a GED (a standard prerequisite for most jobs), 28 percentage points higher than the city average. Only 11% of Latino/Hispanic Detroiters 25 or older held a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 37% of white residents.
For nontraditional career pathways, career and technical education (CTE) programs can provide viable opportunities, but Latino/Hispanic Detroiters experienced a 10-percentage point decline (from 39% to 29%) in CTE completion rate since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The education-workforce connection
“Prosperidad Económica: Education and Workforce Outcomes for Detroit’s Latino/Hispanic Community” shows Latino/Hispanic Detroiters participation in the job/labor market had an uptick from 63% to 66% and 84% of Latinos were working full-time. Though, despite these encouraging statistics, the Latino/Hispanic population has the second highest unemployment rate in Detroit and experience significant pay equity discrepancies across racial lines. Latino/Hispanic Detroiters with a bachelor’s degree earn $24 per hour, about $5 less per hour than their white counterparts with the same educational level.
As of 2021, 29% of Latino/Hispanic workers held positions categorized as accessible but low-wage, while 35% were employed in middle-wage jobs and 35% had jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
“We know there are many unique identities, nationalities and ancestries even within our Latino community here in Detroit. It is important that we implement comprehensive and culturally relevant programming and investments that can meet the unique needs of our Latino community to advance economic equity and truly promote prosperity in the city,” said Ashley Williams Clark, DFC vice president and director of the Center for Equity, Engagement, and Research. “It is imperative that we prioritize efforts to eliminate barriers to accessing basic wraparound services that influence achievement gaps, invest in education, reduce barriers in opportunity and participation in educational and workforce solutions, and ensure increased representation of our Latino community in full-time positions in high-wage sectors.”
DFC will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, August 7, from noon to 1 p.m. to offer further insights and discussion about the “Prosperidad Económica: Education and Workforce Outcomes for Detroit’s Latino/Hispanic Community” and answer community questions. The webinar will include a panel of local practitioners and thought leaders as well.
To view the “Prosperidad Económica: Education and Workforce Outcomes for Detroit’s Latino/Hispanic Community” brief and register for the webinar, visit www.detroitfuturecity.com.
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