This document provides information about Salvadoran immigrants in the United States. It notes that there are over 1.1 million Salvadoran-born immigrants residing in the US as of 2008. Many arrived in 2000 or later, and between 2000 and 2008 the Salvadoran immigrant population grew by over 10,000 people in 10 different states. It also discusses English proficiency and educational attainment levels among Salvadoran immigrants, challenges with the US census for Spanish-speaking Salvadorans, and recommendations for improving achievement among Hispanic/Latino students, with a focus on the state of Nevada and Washoe County School District.

1. El Salvador
Central America
Cultural Presentation

3. State Proportion of the Salvadoran-Born
Population in the United States
And Metropolitan Areas with
25,000 Salvadoran Born or More
Boston
!
(
New York
San
Francisco
!
(
!
( !
( Washington, DC
Riverside
State Share of the
Los
Angeles
!!
(( 1,095,000
Salvadoran Born**
Dallas Less than 1%
!
(
1.0% to 4.0%
4.1% to 8.4%
Houston !
(
14.9%
Hawaii Miami
36.5%
!
(
**No state accounted
Number of Salvadoran Born for the following shares:
in a Metropolitan Area* 8.5% to 14.8% and
Alaska 15.0% to 36.4%
!
( 25,000 to 100,000
Source: 2008 American Community Survey. ! 100,001 to 135,000
(
!
( More than 270,000
© 2009 Migration Policy Institute. *Refers to Metropolitan Statistical Area

4. Ten Source Countries with the Largest Populations
in the United States as Percentages of the
Total Foreign-Born Population: 2009
All other
countries
43%
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2009 American Community Survey

6. “For the Spanish speaking residence the category Race didn’t make sense in either language. When I pointed to
the racial choices they looked at me incredulously without any understanding. Nothing in their day to day
experience suggested they were White. No one gave them White Privilege. How could they be forced to check
White on a form? But, I soothed them with the option to make better choices about their Latino origin. No
Puerto Rican wants to be lumped with Mexicans. And the Guatemalans and Salvadorans were glad that I could
write that in the box for another, Latino or Spanish origin.” 2010 Census Worker

7. Salvadoran Immigrants in the
United States

8. Salvadoran Immigrants in the
United States
• 1.1 million foreign born residing in U.S. 2008
• Over one-quarter arrived in 2000 or later
• Between 2000 and 2008, Salvadoran immigrant
population grew by more than 10,000 in 10 states
• Nevada by 11,274

10. Salvadoran Immigrant English
& High School Education in
United States

11. Salvadoran Immigrant English
& High School Education in
United States
• 71.7% speak English less than “very well”
• 24.1% speak English “very well”
• 54.4% have no high school diploma or GED, 2008
• 5.2% Latino dropout rate in Nevada, 2009-2010

12. from Innocent Voices, 2004

13. State of Nevada & Washoe County School District

14. State of Nevada & Washoe County School District

15. 8 Recommendations for Improving
the Achievement of
Hispanic/Latino Students
1. Implement a district wide plan.
2. Recruit bilingual teachers.
3. Conduct ongoing professional development.
4. Provide ELL program articulation within
schools.
5. Recognize and respect heritage.
6. Provide academic and emotional support.
7. Engage in authentic conversations.
8. Seek outside facilitation.
Source: Journal of Latinos and Education

16. 8 Recommendations for Improving
the Achievement of
Hispanic/Latino Students
Source: Journal of Latinos and Education

17. Nelson Clip