The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics was a multi-agency working group within the Department of Education charged with strengthening the nation's capacity to provide high-quality education while increasing opportunities for Hispanic American participation in federal education programs. In addition, the Initiative served as a resource for information related to closing the educational achievement gap for Hispanic Americans. Finally, the Initiative provided staffing to support and coordinate the mission of a President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. The initiative was terminated on January 20, 2025 by Executive Order 14148.
Organization
Despite its title, the Initiative was created by executive order as a fully staffed and funded entity within the United States Department of Education. Its purpose was to provide support for a Presidential Advisory Commission, for organizational purposes also located within the Education Department, which in turn provided advice and guidance to the President through the Secretary of Education.
President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics The size of the Commission changed with each new Administration, numbering anywhere between fifteen and twenty-five members, and was usually led by two co-chairs. Commissioners were chosen from a wide variety of backgrounds such as educational/academic, sports figures, business, and entertainment and other celebrities. Membership was honorary and the Commissioners served without pay. All represented either highly visible Hispanic Americans distinguished in their field or other individuals noted for their commitment to Hispanic matters. In order to fulfill its mission of providing guidance, the Commission issued reports at regular or irregular intervals depending on its individual directive.
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics As previously noted, the Initiative was a fully staffed office within the Education Department. It was composed of a mix of appointed and civil service officials and led by an Executive Director. The Director was named either by the President or the Secretary of Education. The Initiative's mission concluded with each Administration that created it, but the agency did not completely shut down. As a regularly staffed unit, the Initiative continued into a new Administration with a "skeleton crew" on the expectation that a new executive order would be issued or until such time as the staff was reassigned by the Secretary.
History
George H.W. Bush administration The Commission and Initiative were initially created during the George H. W. Bush Administration as a part of its overall "America 2000 Education Strategy." For at least two years, Hispanic organizations and individuals- Raul Yzaguirre of the National Council of La Raza prominent among them- had been lobbying the government for a federal agency that would oversee educational outreach for Hispanic Americans and help to improve their academic performance. After months of negotiation and planning, President Bush signed Executive Order 12729 on September 24, 1990, establishing the first Commission as well as the supporting Initiative.Jean Merl, "New Ways Sought to Boost Latino Education," Los Angeles Times (January 27, 1991). The goal of the Commission as outlined in EO 12729 was to "provide advice to the Secretary of Education on the progress of Hispanic Americans toward achievement of national education goals and on such other aspects of the educational status of Hispanic Americans as it consider[ed] appropriate." To that end, the Commission was expected to urge upon the Secretary a specific set of criteria: Enhance parental involvement; Promote early childhood education; Remove barriers to success in education and work, particularly limited proficiency in the English language; Help students to achieve their potential at all educational levels; Increase private sector and community involvement in improving education.John T. Woolley and Gerhard Peters, "Executive Order 12729 - Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, September 24, 1990," The American Presidency Project (Santa Barbara: University of California). Accessed on August 17, 2009.
However, the new endeavor ran almost immediately into roadblocks that would delay its implementation for a year.
Within a few days, the first Initiative director, Gilbert Román, resigned for unknown reasons. The forced resignation of Secretary of Education Lauro Cavazos in early December put the Initiative and Commission into semi-hibernation. Finally, after increasing criticism, the first group of 17 Commission members were sworn-in in September, 1991. The Initiative also received a full staff and new Executive Director, John Florez, formerly the deputy assistant secretary for employment at the Department of Labor. At Cavazos' request, Florez had been involved in the studies that led to the creation of the Initiative.Frank Sotomayor, "Bush's Moves on Education Stir Hopes, Criticism," Los Angeles Times (October 10, 1991).
Notable figures among the Commission included Yzaguirre, Diana Natalicio (the first female president of the University of Texas at El Paso), businessman Peter H. Coors, and golfer Nancy Lopez.
The Commission issued its sole report on October 12, 1992, entitled A Progress Report to the Secretary of Education from the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.
Clinton administration
The Commission was re-established by President Bill Clinton on February 18, 1994 by Executive Order 12900. Like its predecessor, the new Commission was to advise the President (albeit through the Secretary of Education). Its goals were modified slightly from that of the previous Administration. The Commission was oriented to Report the progress of Hispanic Americans toward achievement of the National Education Goals and other standards of educational accomplishment; Oversee the development, monitoring, and coordination of Federal efforts to promote high-quality education for Hispanic Americans; Develop ways to increase State, private sector, and community involvement in improving education; Develop ways to expand and complement Federal education initiatives.John T. Woolley and Gerhard Peters, "Executive Order 12900 - Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, February 22, 1994," The American Presidency Project (Santa Barbara: University of California). Accessed on August 17, 2009.
However, once again other political issues would push implementation of the Commission's mission onto the backburner for nearly a year. Finally, on February 1, 1995, 24 members of the Commission were sworn in by Vice President Al Gore. Among the more notable figures on the Commission were academicians Guillermo Linares and Eduardo J. Padrón, author/producer John Phillip Santos, businesspersons Linda G. Alvarado and Martin J. Koldyke, and Yzaguirre, who served as its chairman.
Within a year, the Commission would become embroiled in further controversy when Yzaguirre, its chairman, accused it of being ineffective due to "bureaucratic morass and partisan politics" and criticized the Initiative's staff for inadequate support. Yzaguirre was especially incensed that its first report was nearly a year overdue.Steven A. Holmes, "Hispanic Rights Chief Quits Clinton Panel," The New York Times (April 14, 1996). In response, the Clinton Administration thanked Yzaguirre for his service and announced that the long-awaited report was due to be completed in June.Office of the Press Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, "Statement by the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans Vice Chair Ana "Cha" Guzman Regarding the Resignation of Commission Chair Raul Yzaguirre," (press release) ED.gov (April 1996). Nevertheless, it was not until September that the Commission issued Our Nation on the Fault Line: Hispanic American Education.
A new Executive Director, Sarita E. Brown, was named in 1997. Subsequent to her appointment, Brown was credited with revitalizing the Initiative's mission as well as placing renewed focus on funding for Hispanic education."Sarita E. Brown, President, Hispanic Scholarship Fund Institute," HSFI.org. Accessed on August 19, 2009. On September 25, 2000, the Commission- now chaired by Linares- released its second report entitled Creating the Will: Hispanics Achieving Educational Excellence.Library of Congress, "Director of White House Initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans to Deliver Hispanic Heritage Month Keynote," (press release) News From the Library of Congress (September 19, 2000).Kim L. Brown, "'Talents, Perspectives, Contributions:' Sarita Brown Delivers Hispanic Heritage Keynote," Library of Congress Information Bulletin, Vol. 59, No. 11 (November 2000).
George W. Bush administration
George W. Bush established his President's Advisory Commission on October 12, 2001 with Executive Order 13230. The Commission's mandate was updated to dispense advice and issue reports in order to Map the progress of Hispanic Americans in closing the academic achievement gap and attaining the goals established by the President's "No Child Left Behind" educational blueprint; Develop, monitor, and coordinate Federal efforts to promote high-quality education for Hispanic Americans; Develop ways to increase parental, State and local, private sector, and community involvement in improving education; Develop ways to maximize the effectiveness of Federal education.John T. Woolley and Gerhard Peters, "Executive Order 13230 - Presidents Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, October 12, 2001," The American Presidency Project (Santa Barbara: University of California). Accessed on August 18, 2009.
The Commission comprised 20 members and met for their first full meeting in February, 2002. Among its more notable members were academician Alexander Gonzalez, judge Micaela Alvarez, businessmen Charles P. Garcia and Frank Hanna III- the latter of whom served as one of the two co-chairs- astronaut Fernando Caldeiro, teacher Jaime Escalante, and singer/songwriter Jon Secada. Additionally, US Treasurer Rosario Marin, HUD Secretary Mel Martinez, and SBA Administrator Hector Barreto sat on the Commission as ex officio members or designees."President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans," About Us (WHIEEHA web site). Accessed on August 18, 2009.
During this Administration, the Commission issued two reports. The first, entitled The Road to a College Diploma: The Complex Reality of Raising Educational Achievement for Hispanics in the United States, was released on September 30, 2002 and contained initial findings on the state of Hispanic education in the U. S. The second report, From Risk to Opportunity: Fulfilling the Educational Needs of Hispanic Americans in the 21st Century and released on March 31, 2003, offered six recommendations for increasing the educational achievement of Hispanics.President's Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for Hispanic Americans Releases Final Report;..." (press release) Hispanic PR Wire - US Newswire (April 9, 2003).