Census Reports Population Gains for Hispanics, Asians

The Census Bureau reports that Hispanics are now a record 15 percent of the U.S. population, and that the number of minority children is rising as well. Minorities account for most of the youngsters under age 15 in 12 states. Asians saw the second largest growth of population (2.9 percent compared to 3.3 percent for Hispanics).

Closing the academic achievement gap for minority children is already a concern for policymakers. In our Reality Check report, we found that black and Hispanic students are more likely than their white counterparts to report "very serious" problems in their schools on both academic and social dimensions. Black students are twice as likely as white students to say that schools not getting enough money is a very serious problem in their community.