Arizona State University President Michael Crow Friday addressed the Latino education gap at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials conference happening this weekend in Phoenix.
Shortly after his opening remarks, Crow took aim at the characterization of immigration as an existential threat. "That’s beyond absurd. We are a country of immigrants. Period. End of conversation."
What followed was a data-packed presentation centered on closing the gap between the percentage of Hispanics with bachelor’s degrees against the national average by 2050.
Crow referred to a PowerPoint slide. "Look at the gap: 11.9 million people. That’s just to get to the national average. If we get to the national average, the dramatic economic outcomes will alter the economic trajectory and the competitiveness of the United States," he said.
According to Crow, 68 percent of all jobs in Arizona will require at least a post-secondary educational certificate by 2020.
