A sizable chunk of U.S. Latinos believe education is one of the nation's most important issues. A recent survey of the Latino community offers clear opinions on standardized testing, charter schools, school vouchers, education spending, federal government performance, and the direction of K-12 education.

Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice published a report in Sept., which provided insights into Latinos' thoughts on education. "Latino Perspectives on K-12 Education & School Choice" revealed a number of important discoveries, including one-in-five Latinos (22 percent) naming education as the nation's second most important issue, preceded only by the economy and jobs (27 percent). Also, education was named over immigration (13 percent).

Latinos would like to send their children to charter schools and private schools, yet many are unable, whether it's due to cost or distance. The snapshot of the Latino community revealed Latinos' overwhelming support of education saving accounts (ESAs), tax-credit scholarships and school vouchers, which is far more than the general market. According to the report, southern Latinos were more likely to be concerned about education, compared to Latinos living in the west (27 percent compared to 16 percent). Also, young (30 percent) and middle-age Latino respondents (17 percent) were more likely to be concerned about education than seniors (10 percent).

U.S. Latinos also have firm opinions when it comes to K-12 education. Approximately 53 percent of Latinos stated K-12 education was on the "wrong track," while just 38 percent indicated that it was headed in the "right direction." However, Latinos were more likely than the general market to say K-12 education was "going in the right direction" (38 percent compared to 32 percent). Overall, roughly 60 percent of the nation indicated K-12 education was on the "wrong track," compared to just 53 percent of Latino respondents.

The numbers showed that middle-age Latino respondents (45 percent) and low-income (47 percent) were more positive than younger Latinos (31 percent) and middle-income (32 percent) and high-income Latinos (26 percent) about the direction of K-12 education. The report also showed that Latinos are weary about federal involvement in K-12 education, and 73 percent have a dim view of the federal government's performance in K-12 education.

With regards to education spending, fewer than 14 percent of Latino respondents could estimate the correct per-student spending range for the national average, suggesting that Latinos need to learn more about current expenditures. Also, the survey's results show that Latinos are less likely to say public school spending is "too low."

Latino respondents were far more likely to give private schools in their communities high marks (82 percent), compared to their local public schools (50 percent). Nearly half of Latinos selected private schools as the ideal educational option for their child (46 percent), while just 32 percent of respondents chose regular public school. Just 12 percent selected charter schools and 9 percent chose homeschooling as their top choice. However, enrollment patterns in the U.S. don't match expectations. Only 3.5 percent of students enrolled in private schools are Latino, and just 4.5 percent of student in public charter schools. Researchers were unable to find reliable data regarding how many Latino students are homeschooled. Around 92 percent of Latino K-12 students attend public schools.

While 62 percent of Latinos support charter schools, 26 percent of Latino survey participants said they opposed charter schools. Nonetheless, Latinos were more likely to support charter schools than the national average. However, 53 percent of Latino respondents were against state government interventing to convert "low-performing" schools to charters schools. Instead, they believe vouchers and scholarships would be valuable contributions to affected schools and families.

More than 70 percent of Latinos favor school vouchers, and were more likely than other respondents to express an "intensely favorable view toward vouchers." Likewise, 73 percent of Latinos supported an "education savings account" system (ESA), and they were significantly more supportive of ESAs than non-Hispanic whites (57 percent). Additionally, Latino respondents were nearly five times as likely to support a tax-credit scholarship program. Moreover, Latino respondents (56 percent) voiced support of the Common Core State Standards (Common Core).

The report suggests that a candidate is more likely to win the Latino vote if they have affirming positions on school vouchers, ESAs and Common Core.

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