viaLanguage.com -Translation Articles

Changing Demographics Affecting Educational Organizations

There’s no doubt about it— often, changes in the immigrant population of the United States are first seen in school districts and educational facilities. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that about 1 in every 3 U.S. residents is part of a group other than single-race non-Hispanic white. In 2005, the nation’s minority population totaled 98 million of the country’s total of 296.4 million. Much of this increase is due to immigration and it’s critical that school districts adapt along with these changes. In order to follow federal regulations like Title VI and offer English Language Learners equal access to services in their native languages, schools will face a particular challenge in making sure all communications are translated.

School districts are heavily impacted by changes in the demographics of the United States. The number of students who speak English as a second language is growing steadily. The number of children now attending school who are part of the immigrant population is larger than ever. In 2005, the number of students (preschool through high school) born of immigrant parents was estimated at 73.5 million.

Population for Hispanic, Asian, and Black Communities

The greatest change in population has occurred in the Hispanic population. Hispanics accounted for almost half (or 49 percent) of the national population growth of 2.8 million between 2004 and 2005. Of those 1.3 million Hispanics, 500,000 were new immigrants. The Hispanic population was much younger in terms of median age compared to the population as a whole. About a third of the Hispanic population was under 18, compared with one-fourth of the total population. With a 3.3 percent increase in population from 2004 to 2005, they are the fastest-growing group.

The Asian population also saw a steady increase, with a rise of 3 percent from 2004 to 2005. The Asian population increased by 421,000; recent immigrants making up 239,000. About 26 percent of the Asian population was under 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population. These numbers indicate the growing importance of translating into languages like Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong.

The African-American population saw an increase of 496,000 people between 2004 and 2005. Only 18 percent of the increase is due to immigration. Even though this group has a lower immigration rate compared to other ethnic groups since 1990, voluntary African immigration is higher than it has ever been. Nigeria and Ghana have high numbers of immigrants to New York for example, but immigrants have also moved to metropolitan Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Somalis especially have moved to communities in Minnesota, Maine and Oregon.

Adapting to Change Within School Districts

A continuing effort is being made to reach out to all three of these general groups of students and their families. Historically, immigrant groups and Limited English Proficient families have not always been able to participate fully in school and community events. This may be attributed to a lack of knowledge about the U.S. educational system or because of different expectations concerning family involvement in a child’s education. Providing translated educational material to these groups is essential for their well-being and success in their newly adopted country. A good translation agency can advise you on the best presentation method and style for these cultures.


	viaLanguage Translation Articles Changing Demographics Affecting Educational Organizations There’s no doubt about it— often, changes in the immigrant population of the United States are first seen in school districts and educational facilities. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that about 1 in every 3 U.S. residents is part of a group other than single-race non-Hispanic white. In 2005, the nation’s minority population totaled 98 million of the country’s total of 296.4 million. Much of this increase is due to immigration and it’s critical that school districts adapt along with these changes. In order to follow federal regulations like Title VI and offer English Language Learners equal access to services in their native languages, schools will face a particular challenge in making sure all communications are translated. School districts are heavily impacted by changes in the demographics of the United States. The number of students who speak English as a second language is growing steadily. The number of children now attending school who are part of the immigrant population is larger than ever. In 2005, the number of students (preschool through high school) born of immigrant parents was estimated at 73.5 million. Population for Hispanic, Asian, and Black Communities The greatest change in population has occurred in the Hispanic population. Hispanics accounted for almost half (or 49 percent) of the national population growth of 2.8 million between 2004 and 2005. Of those 1.3 million Hispanics, 500,000 were new immigrants. The Hispanic population was much younger in terms of median age compared to the population as a whole. About a third of the Hispanic population was under 18, compared with one-fourth of the total population. With a 3.3 percent increase in population from 2004 to 2005, they are the fastest-growing group. The Asian population also saw a steady increase, with a rise of 3 percent from 2004 to 2005. The Asian population increased by 421,000; recent immigrants making up 239,000. About 26 percent of the Asian population was under 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population. These numbers indicate the growing importance of translating into languages like Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong. The African-American population saw an increase of 496,000 people between 2004 and 2005. Only 18 percent of the increase is due to immigration. Even though this group has a lower immigration rate compared to other ethnic groups since 1990, voluntary African immigration is higher than it has ever been. Nigeria and Ghana have high numbers of immigrants to New York for example, but immigrants have also moved to metropolitan Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Somalis especially have moved to communities in Minnesota, Maine and Oregon. Adapting to Change Within School Districts A continuing effort is being made to reach out to all three of these general groups of students and their families. Historically, immigrant groups and Limited English Proficient families have not always been able to participate fully in school and community events. This may be attributed to a lack of knowledge about the U.S. educational system or because of different expectations concerning family involvement in a child’s education. Providing translated educational material to these groups is essential for their well-being and success in their newly adopted country. A good translation agency can advise you on the best presentation method and style for these cultures.