Latino baby boom changing demographics in California

For the first time in modern history, most of the babies being born in California are Latino, according to an analysis of state birth records through 2005. Population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau also show that for the first time in 2004 more than half of the children under age 5 in California are Latino. Judy Bugarin, a 40-year veteran of early childhood education and director of the Parkway Child Development Programs for Santa Clara County, feels responsible for better serving a student population that is now about 80 percent Latino. “Our goal is that they become fluent in English by the time they’re ready for kindergarten,” Bugarin said. “That’s where we’re trying to close the achievement gap, by supporting English so they can do well in school.” Read more of this article from the San Jose Mercury News.