Steve Murdock: Educating Latinos Vital To Future Of U.S.

By Zach Gonzalez

Austin, Texas — With a great presentation of the United States population change and immigration, renown demographer Steve H. Murdock had the opportunity to end the Texas Tribune Festival late Sunday afternoon giving the last word in this area of debate.

Examining past and present trends, racial statistics, cultural patterns, educational performance, and the impacts that many of these trends are having on the future for the country, Murdock laid out empirical evidence that challenges the claims many, including his friends, in the country make daily. He explained how he challenges many stereotypes and traditional claims his friends tell him involving the current and future impacts communities will have on Texas and the United States.

Fast-forwarding to the infinite challenges of creating solutions for the future, what significance does Murdock believe this empirical research holds?

“We are seeing changes in the age structure and fertility in Mexico, which may mean we may see a smaller number of time…Had it not been for the growth in population from Hispanic kids, we would have had the lowest decline in kid’s population since the 1930s.

“If we do nothing to change relationships, by 2040 we [Texas] will have 30% of our labor force with less than a level of high school education,” he warned.

“Furthermore, it is clear that looking at Texas or the United States, the future is tied to its minority population.” Murdock further explained how the minority population performs in education and how it addresses the issues, like politicians and elected officials are today, will determine the future of the entire country.

We asked Murdock a question about this shift at the presentation.

NewsTaco: How will the large increase of Latino children play a factor in changing our curriculum for education, especially in our universities?

Murdock: That’s important. I don’t know when this will happen because a lot of universities are focused too much on their rankings with each other, and it really isn’t addressed.

It’s clear that Murdock believes education is the answer to our future here. His empirical evidence doesn’t only serve to counter argue those in disbelief about how current trends will show a change in our nation, but the evidence serves to bring new light to the way we are solving our issues. It supports the value of creating a new model for education, job creation and law reforms through businesses, and the changing cultural views of race and perspectives, of those that view our markets as an opportunity to take action for their dreams.