The success of Latino students is going to be critical to Idaho’s economic future, according to national and local experts. But the state stumbles when it comes to ensuring all Latino students are successful in school and prepared for Idaho’s future workforce.

The number of Latino students in Idaho schools has nearly doubled in the past two decades, rising to 18 percent of public school enrollment. But Latino student achievement in Idaho consistently lags behind state averages as evidenced by low average test scores among Latinos, few postsecondary degrees among Latino adults and a significant achievement gap between white and Latino youth.