“Latinos are not intelligent”

1. “Latinos are not intelligent” • In a study of almost 100 elementary school children in Lexington, we asked about stereotypes toward different Americans and immigrant groups. • Children said: • Mexican immigrant children are not as smart as White or Black Americans. • They did not want to go to school with a Mexican immigrant child as much as with a White or Black American child. • Attitudes toward Mexican immigrants worse than Chinese or British immigrants.

2. “Latinos are not intelligent” • Teachers rate Latino children in bilingual or ESL classes as less academically competent than White/European American peers. • Children are aware of these stereotypes. • Latino students report that teachers often have low expectations for them, often assume their English is poor, and treat them as invisible.

3. “Latinos are not intelligent” • There are important consequences of these stereotypes. • When perceive teacher stereotypes, adolescents are more likely to drop out of high school, more likely to feel academically disengaged. • Among 3rd and 4th grade Latino children in Lexington, perceiving teacher and peer stereotypes was associated with more negative academic attitudes and less school belonging (unless at a predominately Latino school).