As we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, new survey data offers a closer look at what Hispanic parents are experiencing when it comes to their children’s education, from the challenges shaping their school decisions to the growing role of AI in the classroom. 

One finding stands out: 57% of parents say that the current immigration policy environment is at least a somewhat concerning factor in their day-to-day life, including 17% of parents who say they skipped or avoided a school event because of it. This concern is driving parents to consider other school options for their children – 41% of Hispanic and Latino parents state that these concerns led them to consider, actively explore, or choose a different school or learning environment in the past year.

This data, which comes from a survey of 559 Hispanic and Latino parents of school-aged children conducted in August of 2026 by the nonprofit National School Choice Awareness Foundation, shows just how much today’s environment is impacting families’ educational experiences.

Immigration Policy and School Participation

Today’s immigration policy environment is a source of concern for many Hispanic and Latino families. 57% of parents say it is at least a somewhat concerning factor in their family’s day-to-day life, including 24% who say they are very concerned.

For a meaningful share of families, these concerns have translated into changed behavior around school. In the past 12 months, 17% skipped or avoided a school event, 14% kept their child home from school, 11% avoided contacting teachers or school staff, and 10% changed transportation or drop-off routines.

Looking specifically at school choice, 41% of parents say immigration concerns led them to consider, actively explore, or choose a different type of school or learning environment for their child in the past year, including 5% who say they chose a different school or learning environment.

When asked what kind of support would help them navigate these concerns, parents most often pointed to clear information about their children’s right to a public education regardless of status (41%), school communications and materials available in Spanish (27%), mental health support for children (26%), and connections to community or legal resources (25%).

Challenges Facing Hispanic and Latino Families

Asked about the biggest challenges facing their child’s education over the past year, parents point most often to academic progress (36%) and school safety (32%), followed by bullying (28%) and the cost of school-related expenses (22%). Smaller shares cited their child’s mental health (20%), screen time or cellphone use (19%), teacher shortages (16%), or language and cultural support (11%).

When it comes to staying involved in their child’s education, work schedules are the most common barrier, cited by 48% of parents. Other barriers include the cost of alternative options (20%), language barriers (11%), and lack of childcare for other children (8%). About 31% of parents say nothing has made it difficult for them to be involved.

AI in the Classroom

AI tools have become a regular part of schoolwork for many families: 64% of parents say their child has used AI tools,  such as tutoring apps, homework helpers, or chatbots,  at least occasionally in the past year, including 23% who say their child uses them regularly.

For Hispanic and Latino families specifically, AI is also serving as a language support tool: 32% of parents say their child has used AI to help overcome a language barrier in school, such as translating assignments or understanding instructions.

Most parents feel at least somewhat confident helping their child use AI responsibly (73% combined), but schools have room to improve communication: 39% of parents say their child’s school has not given them enough information about how students are allowed to use AI for schoolwork, and 12% are not sure.

For interview opportunities, please contact Lucia Matamoros at [email protected].