Listening to Latinas: Barriers to High School Graduation

Latinas are dropping out of school in alarming numbers—a pattern that has serious and damaging repercussions for their future prospects and economic security. Yet little research has been done on the particular barriers that Latinas face or the strategies that might maximize their chances for success. This report addresses the challenges facing Latina students in the United States today and explores ways to overcome obstacles that undermine their chances for success. This report shares many of the Latina girls’ stories, as well as input from teachers and program staff. It compares, contrasts, and in some cases weaves together these qualitative research findings with the existing literature and research on these issues from a variety of sources.