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Only 16 percent of Hispanic 10th-graders passed the reading, writing and math portions of the WASL last year. That compares with 39 percent of all students, suggesting many Hispanics will have a hard time graduating from high school, let alone attending college.

"If we get to 2008 with those same statistics, we're going to have a crisis," said Antonio Ginatta, executive director of the state Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

From 1990 to 2000, Washington's Hispanic population more than doubled to 441,509. The state Office of Financial Management predicts it will rise to more than 1.1 million in 2030. But Hispanic college enrollment has not kept pace.

Though Hispanics accounted for about 8.3 percent of Washington's population in 2003, they accounted for only 7.1 percent of college enrollment, with most attending community or technical colleges. Only 3.7 percent of students at public universities were Hispanic.

Several lawmakers have drafted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8401, which calls for the creation of a commission to study the "systemic, institutional and social barriers" that inhibit Hispanic access to higher education.

"All across the country we have a serious gap in achievement that needs to be addressed," said Sen. Dave Schmidt (R-Mill Creek), one of the sponsors. "We can't just bury our head."

Ginatta and other observers cited several problems holding young Hispanics back. A lack of parental involvement is a key factor for many, though Ginatta said it's not that parents don't care. Instead, he said language barriers make it difficult for many Spanish- speaking parents to participate in their children's education.

Schools aren't doing enough to bridge the parent gap, Ginatta said. While they have "open door" policies, he said school officials often wait for parents to come in instead of seeking them out.

Roberto Lopez, who works with young people in an after-school program at Tacoma's Centro Latino agency, said many educators are looking for a quick fix that doesn't exist.

He spoke of one student who had to repeat a grade before Lopez started talking to his parents every day. The student eventually did well in school.

Other problems - the mobility of migrant workers, the relative poverty of many Hispanics, racism - also make college a difficult goal, observers say.

Solutions, they say, are obvious but not easy. More money for scholarships would help. The Legislature two years ago took one step, allowing undocumented residents who attended three years of high school in Washington to pay in-state tuition at public colleges. But only 374 new students took advantage of that last fall, most at community colleges.

Dan Garcia, assistant chancellor for student affairs at the University of Washington Tacoma, said colleges must tailor outreach plans to Hispanics and other minorities.

"Sometimes it's just as simple as advertising brochures reflecting the diversity and inclusiveness of our institutions," Garcia said. Young Hispanics, he said, "want to see people like them."

They also want to hear people like them, which makes hiring bilingual staff crucial, according to Maritza Baida-Medina, an adviser in multicultural student services at Pierce College. She thinks colleges also should focus on retaining as well as recruiting Hispanics.

Ultimately, college officials want to see more students like Eraliz Lotero, who moved here from New Jersey in September and now studies social work at Pierce College.

Lotero, 19, graduated from high school in 2003. But her parents lost their factory jobs during her junior year. With a brother already in college, Lotero took two jobs after high school to help support her family.

She moved to Washington to live with her cousin, a Fort Lewis soldier, then enrolled at Pierce College. She hopes to transfer to a university and earn a bachelor's degree.

Lotero echoed many of the comments of other observers. She said reaching out to parents, financial aid and hiring Spanish-speaking staff should be top priorities. And she hopes adults will make an effort to better understand young Hispanics.

"I just wish adults would get more involved with teenagers instead of just saying, 'they're so rebellious,' " she said.

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David Wickert: 253-274-7341

david.wickert@thenewstribune.com

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CHART: College enrollment for sTate Hispanics

Here is Hispanic college enrollment at Washington's public four- year universities, private four-year universities and community and technical colleges for fall 2003. Hispanics accounted for 8.3 percent of the state population in 2003. Hispanic Total Percent enrollment enrollment hispanic

Public four-year 3,857 103,933 3.7%

Private four-year 2,114 47,304 4.5%

Community/

technical 18,143 190,213 9.5%

Total 24,114 341,450 7.1%

Source: State Higher Education Coordinating Board, state Office of Financial Management

(C) 2005 The News Tribune Tacoma, WA. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved