Prudent investments in education and training needed for nation's Hispanic population

Education and training are the linchpins that will give the nation's Hispanic workers and their children important tools to contribute to and share in U.S. prosperity, says a new report from the National Academies' National Research Council that examines the Hispanic experience in the United States. Targeted investments in these areas would benefit not only Hispanics, but also the country as a whole by enhancing U.S. productivity as baby boomers shift into retirement.

The children of Spanish-speaking immigrants are a critical part of America's future success. By 2030, they will number about 26 million and most will be in the labor force, the report notes. Underinvesting in their education would compromise the quality of their lives and, in all likelihood, U.S. competitiveness.