In order to provide information missing from elementary and secondary educational materials, briefly reviews the history, geography, and current political, economic, demographic, and social characteristics of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Some information is also given about Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize.

Examined demographic and academic differences between Mexican-American (n=141) and Hispanic non-Mexican-American (n=45) college students. Found larger proportion of non-Mexican-American students were born in the United States. Mexican Americans reported considerably lower levels of parental socioeconomic and educational attainment. Groups were…

By the year 2000, Latinos are expected to make up 50 percent of the nation's Catholic population, but educators contend that Catholic institutions of higher education have not done enough to meet the academic needs of this constituency. Cost and resistance to cultural diversity on campus are seen as factors. (Author/MSE)

Summarizes current data available on the educational attainment of precollegiate Hispanic students. Reviews factors contributing to the heterogeneity of Latino and the educational implications of the demographic changes of the last 20 years. The increasing residential segregation of Mexican-Americans and Puerto Ricans promotes linguistic isolation…

Examines the demography and the social and health status of Latino children, focusing on the implications for the formulation of public policy and the implementation of programs. Significant health issues by developmental stages are discussed, from infancy through adolescence, as well as issues surrounding access to medical care and health…

Analyzes the changing demographics of South Central Los Angeles (California); and considers the Latino role in the 1992 riots, the etiology of the riots, and the rift created among ethnic and racial groups. The Latino perspective on the riots and the future is developed. (SLD)