Peter Brimelow writes: Government statistics are wonderful things. Forbes Magazine has just (May 28 issue) published my charticle on the silent dropout disaster of the 1990s – a disaster that the government school complex has been forced to acknowledge only by activist pressure. Not only is the dropout rate (22% in 1999) far greater than is usually reported, but it has actually been increasing.

Now the immigration dimension: black and white dropout rates have increased only slightly. The real problem is the increasing proportion of Hispanics, the result of America's ongoing immigration disaster. Their dropout rate is appalling – 45% in 1999. By contrast, the dropout rate for blacks – blacks! – was only 27%. Not all dropouts will be welfare cases and criminals. But many will. Which suggests public policy is importing a new and even more serious underclass problem.

Of course, we can expect that they will all vote for George W. when the pressing need for capital gains tax cut is explained to them. The Wall Street Journal Editorial Page has told us so. Meanwhile, however, no doubt some massive new government transfer programs are in order.

Another point (exclusive to VDARE!): perhaps the white and black, i.e. native-born American, dropout rate has increased because of the immigrant influx into the schools? After all, it must divert teacher time and energy.

A couple of years ago, I asked a leading neoconservative education expert (and closet immigration reformer) whether there was any research on the impact of immigration on native-born children's education performance. I could see there was research on immigrant performance. But what about the – well - Americans?

"Not only is there no research," she said, "but there isn't going to be any research – because no-one wants to know the answer."

The answer, however, wants to know us. (See Reader's Letter...)

(Click here for the charticle – don't forget to click on through to the chart, better displayed in the treezine, alas. You may have to register with Forbes, but the only risk is a grateful email from Tim Forbes.)

May 14, 2001