As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, I find myself reflecting not only on my family’s journey but also on the future of Latino children across Massachusetts. This month invites us to celebrate our culture, resilience, and contributions, even as our community continues to face inhumane immigration raids, discriminatory policies, and harmful rhetoric that seek to diminish us.

This year’s theme, “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” reminds us that our stories are rooted in sacrifice and endurance and that our future depends on the choices we make today.

My own story is possible because of my parents. They left the Dominican Republic and everything familiar — the warmth of the Caribbean sun, the comfort of neighbors who felt like family — all in pursuit of opportunity. Their journey took them from New York City to Columbus, Ohio, and eventually to Providence, Rhode Island. Life was anything but easy. My mother faced countless barriers: limited English proficiency, undecipherable schooling, and the daunting task of navigating a complex immigration system. At times, the challenges felt insurmountable. At one point, she even had to leave her children, my siblings, behind, one of countless sacrifices she made in hopes of a future that was never guaranteed. It’s an act of love and resilience that many immigrant parents are all too familiar with. Yet my parents persevered, driven by an unshakable belief that America could offer more for their children and for generations to come.

Their courage built the foundation for my life and education. Today, I am proud to hold a master’s degree in Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American studies from the University of Connecticut, not only for myself or my family, but for our community. And yet, despite the steady rise in Latinos earning advanced degrees, we represent just 8% of all advanced degree holders in the U.S. My achievements, then, are not mine alone; they are the culmination of generations.

As I look ahead, especially as a senior policy analyst at EdTrust in Massachusetts who examines the data every day, I can’t help but ask: how can the next generation of Latino students follow a similar path and seize opportunities if we are not even equipping them with the basics?

The numbers are devastating. Despite their limitless potential, this year’s Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) results show that only 17-31% of Latino students met or exceeded expectations across all subjects, less than half the rate of white students.  In math, Latino students in grades 3-8 scored 51% below the state average, the lowest of all racial and ethnic groups. Literacy is the foundation of freedom and opportunity, yet it remains out of reach for too many. Math, a gateway to future careers, tells the same story. In a state where Latino students make up roughly 25% of our school’s enrollment, this should alarm us all.

Literacy isn’t just about decoding text; it’s about decoding life. It’s the key that unlocks imagination, confidence, and opportunity. Without it, potential is stifled; with it, possibility knows no limits.

Are we equipping young people with the skills to dream, lead, and contribute to their communities, or are we allowing a cycle of inequity to persist? If Latino children cannot read, write, and calculate at grade level, how can they pursue college, access higher-paying jobs, or fully participate in civic life? How can they carry forward the legacies of their parents and grandparents who came here believing in a better tomorrow?

Latinos have long faced systemic barriers that make higher education feel out of reach. Rising costs, crushing debt, and gaps in preparation are pushing too many students to ask: “Is college even for me?”

And even for those pursuing alternative paths such as an associate degree, a trade, or a certificate program, the reality remains the same: foundational skills are essential. Our recent poll shows that 37% of Latino parents expect their child to pursue these nontraditional routes. However, whether a student aspires to become a doctor, a teacher, or a skilled tradesperson, literacy and math remain the keys that unlock opportunities.

We know what works. The Governor’s Literacy Launch initiative is a promising start, but urgent, statewide action must follow. Passage of bills S.338 and H.698, requiring every district to adopt evidence-based literacy curricula, and H.669, to strengthen teacher preparation programs so all educators can deliver critical instructional practices. Our state can no longer let politics delay progress while children fall further behind. This year, the legislature has a real opportunity to make meaningful change.

The math crisis must be confronted with the same determination. In a world driven by data, logic, and innovation, and with math-related careers projected to grow significantly faster than the average, we must do better.

My parents believed in the promise of this country, even when the odds were stacked against them. Their sacrifices made my education possible. Now, the question is whether we will honor that legacy and the legacy of millions like them, not with words, but with action.

If we truly want to celebrate Hispanic Heritage, we must invest in the future of our children. Because the greatest inheritance we can give them is not just pride in where they come from, but a high-quality education, built on strong foundational literacy and math skills, that empowers them to define where they will go.