WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Former Governor Mike Huckabee joined Dr. Carlos Campo and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) today to call on the Christian community to join efforts to help close inequality gaps in the U.S. education system. Speaking to over 50 Hispanic pastors from across the United States, Huckabee and Campo underscored the need for high education standards and conservative values to reach underserved minority students.

“The Bible teaches us that we are all children of God and equal in his sight, and as Americans, we are united in the principle that every person deserves an equal opportunity,” Governor Huckabee said. “Yet because of a persistent disparity, too many children – particularly in economically disadvantaged communities – are graduating without the requisite skills needed to succeed. I agree with NHCLC’s leadership and their 40,000 Hispanic evangelical congregations that as Christians we have a responsibility to set our expectations high for children and educators, and to insist that policymakers do the same.”  

Despite significant academic gains in recent years, Latino and African-American students face uphill challenges in the classroom. Hispanic and black students are less likely than white students to graduate high school on time, and only slightly more than a third will enroll in college. About 45 percent of college-bound Hispanic students require remediation in English or math courses, which significantly decreases their chances of obtaining a degree on time.

In time for the new school year, the NHCLC has launched a website, http://www.FaithandEducation.com, where pastors and parents can access tools and information supporting their education initiatives. Resources at the site include Raising the Standards videos, a new Parent Toolkit, resources for National Hispanic Education Sunday (September 7, 2014), and a call for Education Liaisons in each congregation.

“Just as Paul wrote, ‘Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice,’ Hispanic churches place a high value on education,” said Dr. Campo. “But even though Latino high school graduation rates are on the rise, too often a high school diploma does not adequately prepare the graduate for college or a career. The NHCLC’s goal is to organize the 16 million American Hispanic Evangelical Christians to demand a public school system that equips all students with the skills they need to succeed – including adoption and application of the Common Core State Standards across the country.”

About the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
NHCLC/Conela is the largest Hispanic Christian organization serving millions of Evangelicals, 40,118 U.S. churches and more than 500,000 churches across the globe. Seeking to reconcile evangelist Billy Graham’s message of salvation with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s march of prophetic activism, the NHCLC/Conela emphasizes “7 Directives” of Life, Family, Compassionate Evangelism, Stewardship, Justice, Education and Youth. For additional information, visit http://www.nhclc.org.