Improving Educational Excellence for Hispanics

Today, the White House Initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanics will host its second commission meeting here at the White House. The Commission is tasked with expanding academic excellence and improving educational opportunities for Hispanics by providing advice to President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Hispanics are already the largest minority group in the public education system with more than 1 in 5 students in the nation’s elementary, middle and high schools, but have the lowest education attainment level overall, according to a report by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

Dr. Jill Biden, a lifelong educator and wife of Vice President Joe Biden, will join the meeting today to give brief remarks on the importance of Hispanic success in education to America’s economy.  In addition, world famous singer, songwriter and record producer Shakira will join the meeting as a newly appointed commissioner.  Shakira has worked on a number of efforts to expand and improve comprehensive early childhood care and education around the world.  She joins a stellar group of other education and civic leaders who are Members of the Commission for the White House Initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanics. 

Watch the commissioners meeting live from the White House at WhiteHouse.gov/live beginning at 1:00 pm EDT and going until 5:30 pm EDT. You can also tune in live from 1:00 pm EDT to 5:00 pm EDT on Friday. Updates will be available on Twitter through hashtag #AtTheWH and through the White House Initiative’s handle @HispanicEd.

Jon Carson is the Director of the Office of Public Engagement. On Twitter @JonCarson44.