Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 177 / Thursday, September 16, 2021 / Presidential Documents 51581 

Executive Order 14045 of September 13, 2021 

White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics 

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the 

laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: 

Section 1. Policy. Nearly 14 million students in our Nation’s public elementary and secondary school system and nearly 4 million students in postsecondary education are Hispanic. Hispanic students constitute more than 

27 percent of all pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students and nearly 

20 percent of college students. The Nation’s future prosperity and global 

leadership across industries is therefore tied to the success of Hispanic 

and Latino students, and their success is a priority of my Administration. 

From advancements in science and civil and labor rights to leadership 

in government, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and business, the Hispanic community has had a profound and positive impact on our schools, our communities, our economy, and our Nation. Hispanic and Latino communities 

encompass many racial and cultural identities that span the globe. The 

diversity of Hispanic and Latino students makes our classrooms across the 

country rich learning environments. It is important to ensure that from 

early childhood to higher education, Hispanic and Latino students, including 

Dreamers, can reach their highest potential. For many Hispanic and Latino 

students, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) provide critical pathways to 

opportunity, and hundreds of HSIs across our Nation are advancing intergenerational mobility, success, and opportunity. 

At the same time, Hispanic and Latino students face systemic inequitable 

barriers in accessing a high-quality education and a fair shot at the American 

dream. Only 40 percent of Latino children participate in preschool education 

programs as compared to 53 percent of their White peers. Due to systemic 

and historical inequities faced in the classroom, the high school graduation 

rate for Hispanic students is below the national average. Hispanic students 

are underrepresented in advanced courses in mathematics and science, and 

they can face language barriers in the classroom. Only 19 percent of Latino 

adults have at least a bachelor’s degree compared with 1 in 3 overall, 

and just 6 percent have completed graduate or professional degree programs, 

versus 13 percent nationally. Further, the lack of availability of adult continuing education courses makes it difficult for many Hispanic adults to 

further their education. In addition, barriers to equity in education can 

compound and intersect for Hispanic and Latino students who are women 

and girls, LGBTQ+ individuals, English language learners, and individuals 

with disabilities. 

The COVID–19 pandemic has laid bare and exacerbated many of these 

inequities. Hispanic and Latino students are more likely than their White 

peers to experience remote learning arrangements, yet they have less access 

to the tools necessary to succeed, such as broadband and computer access. 

Hispanic women have been adversely impacted by job loss, a lack of access 

to child care, and the inability to provide care, in greater numbers than 

their White counterparts. These and pre-existing disparities have led to 

declines in student achievement for Hispanic students. Latino students— 

once the fastest-growing group of undergraduates in the United States— 

have seen a decline in undergraduate college attendance amidst the COVID– 

19 pandemic. It is a priority of my Administration to ensure an equitable 

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recovery from COVID–19, and to provide Hispanic and Latino students 

with a successful return to the classroom. 

These barriers exist not simply in the classroom, but also in the workplace. 

Hispanic workers are overrepresented in industries that have been hit hardest 

by the COVID–19 pandemic, and they have faced disproportionate losses 

in employment. Hispanic and Latino workers often face discrimination in 

hiring, pay, and consideration for promotions among other challenges. They 

need greater access to work-based learning opportunities such as mentorships, 

internships, and registered apprenticeships that not only guide employment 

seekers to a career, but provide the experience needed to secure wellpaying jobs. 

To ensure that our Nation reaches the ambitious goals we have set for 

our economy to thrive, as well as to ensure equal access to opportunity 

for all, we must enable Hispanic and Latino students to reach their highest 

potential through our Nation’s schools and institutions of higher education. 

The Federal Government must also collaborate with Hispanic and Latino 

communities to ensure their long-term success. 

It is the policy of my Administration to advance educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity for Hispanic communities from early childhood until their chosen career. 

Sec. 2. White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, 

and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics. 

(a) To advance equity in our Nation’s schools and to promote the economic 

opportunity that follows it, there is established in the Department of Education (Department), the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational 

Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics (Initiative), 

of which the Secretary of Education (Secretary) shall serve as Chair. The 

Secretary shall designate an Executive Director for the Initiative (Executive 

Director). 

(b) The Initiative shall advance educational equity and economic opportunity for Latino and Hispanic students, families, and communities by focusing on the following policy goals: 

(i) increasing general understanding of systemic causes of educational 

challenges faced by many Hispanic and Latino students, whether these 

students are in urban, suburban, rural, or migrant learning environments, 

and working across Federal agencies to address these challenges; 

(ii) increasing Hispanic and Latino children’s and families’ access to and 

participation in high-quality early childhood programs and services that 

promote children’s healthy development and learning, prepare them for 

success in school, and affirm their cultural and linguistic identity; 

(iii) addressing the inequitable treatment of Hispanic and Latino children, 

such as eradicating disparities in disciplinary actions; 

(iv) supporting and improving data collection related to Hispanic and 

Latino students and the implementation of evidence-based strategies to 

increase the participation and success of Hispanic and Latino students 

in all levels of education and prepare them for careers and civic engagement; 

(v) ensuring that all Hispanic and Latino students have access to excellent 

teachers, school leaders, and other professionals, including by supporting 

efforts to improve the recruitment, preparation, development, and retention 

of qualified, diverse teachers and school leaders and other professionals 

who understand students’ lived experiences and can effectively meet their 

learning, social, and emotional needs; 

(vi) enhancing student support services and fostering positive engagement 

among schools, families, community leaders, and community-based organizations to increase the high school graduation and post-secondary attendance rates and decrease the high school dropout rate for Hispanic and 

Latino students; 

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(vii) promoting a positive school climate that supports equitable access 

to and participation in college-readiness, advanced placement courses, 

and internship opportunities, as well as innovative dropout prevention 

and recovery strategies that better engage Hispanic and Latino youth in 

their learning, help them progress academically as needed, and provide 

those who have left the educational system with pathways to reentry; 

(viii) eliminating discriminatory enrollment, housing, transportation, and 

other policies that lead to racial and socioeconomic segregation among 

and within schools; 

(ix) ensuring equitable access to educational resources, professionals, and 

technology, including by addressing racial disparities in school funding 

and expenditures; 

(x) breaking down barriers that impede the access of higher education 

institutions that serve Hispanic and Latino students, such as HSIs, to 

Federal funding, and strengthening the capacity of those institutions to 

participate in Federal programs and partnerships; 

(xi) advancing racial equity and economic opportunity by connecting education to labor market needs through programs such as dual enrollment, 

career and technical education, registered apprenticeships, work-based 

learning, and career advancement, particularly in the fields of science, 

technology, engineering, and mathematics; and 

(xii) ensuring that Hispanic and Latino communities have access to resources for economic success, such as in the areas of financial education, 

small business development, entrepreneurship, arts, science, technology, 

engineering, and mathematics. 

(c) In working to fulfill its mission and objectives, the Initiative shall, 

consistent with applicable law: 

(i) identify and promote evidence-based best practices that can provide 

Hispanic and Latino students with a rigorous and well-rounded education 

in safe and healthy environments, as well as access to support services, 

that will improve their educational, professional, economic, and civic 

opportunities; 

(ii) advance and coordinate efforts to ensure equitable opportunities for 

Hispanic and Latino students in the re-opening process for schools across 

the country, and take steps to ensure that Hispanic and Latino students, 

from early childhood to post-secondary education, can equitably recover 

from learning losses and other challenges faced during the COVID–19 

pandemic; 

(iii) encourage and develop partnerships with a national network of early 

childhood and early intervention providers, schools, institutions of higher 

education, and other public, private, philanthropic, and nonprofit stakeholders to improve access to educational equity and economic opportunities for Hispanics and Latinos; 

(iv) monitor and support the development, implementation, and coordination of Federal Government educational, workforce, research, and business 

development policies, programs, and technical assistance designed to improve outcomes for historically underserved communities, including Hispanics and Latinos; 

(v) work closely with the Executive Office of the President on key Administration priorities related to education, equity, and economic opportunity 

for Hispanics and Latinos; and 

(vi) advise the Secretary on issues of importance and policies relating 

to educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity for Hispanics 

and Latinos. 

(d) The Initiative shall establish a Federal Interagency Working Group, 

which shall be convened by the Executive Director and shall support the 

efforts of the Initiative. The Interagency Working Group shall collaborate 

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regarding resources and opportunities available across the Federal Government to increase educational and economic opportunities for Hispanics and 

Latinos. 

(i) The Interagency Working Group shall consist of senior officials (designated by the heads of their respective departments, agencies, and offices) 

from the following: 

(A) the Department of State; 

(B) the Department of the Treasury; 

(C) the Department of Defense; 

(D) the Department of Justice; 

(E) the Department of the Interior; 

(F) the Department of Agriculture; 

(G) the Department of Commerce; 

(H) the Department of Labor; 

(I) the Department of Health and Human Services; 

(J) the Department of Housing and Urban Development; 

(K) the Department of Transportation; 

(L) the Department of Energy; 

(M) the Department of Education; 

(N) the Department of Veterans Affairs; 

(O) the Department of Homeland Security; 

(P) the White House Office of Management and Budget; 

(Q) the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; 

(R) the Small Business Administration; 

(S) the White House Domestic Policy Council; 

(T) the White House Gender Policy Council; 

(U) the White House Office of Public Engagement; 

(V) the National Science Foundation; 

(W) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; 

(X) the United States Agency for International Development; and 

(Y) such additional executive departments, agencies, and offices as the 

Secretary may designate. 

(ii) The Executive Director may establish subgroups of the Interagency 

Working Group to focus on different aspects of the educational system 

(such as HSIs, early childhood education, kindergarten through 12th grade 

education, children and adults with disabilities, teacher diversity, higher 

education, career and technical education, adult education, or correctional 

education and reengagement), economic opportunity (work-based learning, 

entrepreneurship, financial education, or mentorship) or educational challenges facing particular populations. 

(e) Each executive department and agency (agency) designated to participate in the Interagency Working Group shall prepare a plan (Agency Plan) 

outlining measurable actions the agency will take to advance educational 

equity and economic opportunity for Hispanic and Latino communities, 

including their plans to implement the policy goals and directives outlined 

in section 2(b) of this order and other relevant work. These plans shall 

be submitted to the Chair on a date established by the Chair. 

(i) As appropriate, each Agency Plan shall include: 

(A) a description of the applicable agency’s efforts to ensure that Federal 

programs and initiatives administered by the Department and other agencies are meeting the educational needs of Hispanics and Latinos, including 

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 177 / Thursday, September 16, 2021 / Presidential Documents 51585 

by encouraging the agency to incorporate best practices into appropriate 

discretionary programs where the agency sees fit and as permitted by 

law; 

(B) a description of how the applicable agency has and will decrease 

barriers to participation of Hispanics and Latinos in Federal employment 

and student engagement opportunities; 

(C) a description of how the applicable agency can address challenges 

facing Hispanic and Latino students and higher education institutions 

that serve Hispanic and Latino students, such as HSIs, brought on by 

or exacerbated by the COVID–19 pandemic; 

(D) a description of how the agency’s Office of Civil Rights, if applicable, 

can address discriminatory policies and practices that limit educational 

and economic opportunity for Hispanics and Latinos; 

(E) any other information the applicable agency determines is relevant 

to promoting educational opportunities for Hispanics and Latinos; and 

(F) any additional criteria established by the Chair or the Initiative. 

(ii) Each agency shall assess and report to the Chair on their progress 

in implementing the Agency Plan on a regular basis as established by 

the Chair. 

(iii) The Initiative shall monitor and evaluate each agency’s progress towards the goals established in its Agency Plan and shall coordinate with 

the agency to ensure that its Plan includes measurable and action-oriented 

goals. 

(f) The Department shall provide funding and administrative support for 

the Initiative and the Interagency Working Group, to the extent permitted 

by law and within existing appropriations. To the extent permitted by law, 

including the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535), other agencies and offices 

represented on the Interagency Working Group may detail personnel to 

the Initiative, to assist the Department in meeting the objectives of this 

order. 

(g) To advance shared priorities and policies that advance equity and 

economic opportunity for underserved communities, the Initiative shall collaborate and coordinate with other White House Initiatives related to equity 

and opportunity. 

(h) On an annual basis, the Chair shall report to the President on the 

Initiative’s progress in carrying out its mission and function under this 

order. 

Sec. 3. Presidential Advisory Commission. (a) There is established in the 

Department a Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational 

Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics (Commission). 

(b) The Commission shall provide advice to the President through the 

Secretary on matters pertaining to educational equity and economic opportunity for the Hispanic and Latino community, including: 

(i) what is needed for the development, implementation, and coordination 

of educational programs and initiatives at the Department and other agencies to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for Hispanics 

and Latinos; 

(ii) how to promote career pathways for in-demand jobs for Hispanic 

and Latino students, including registered apprenticeships, internships, fellowships, mentorships, and work-based learning initiatives; 

(iii) ways to strengthen the capacity of institutions, such as HSIs, to 

equitably serve Hispanic and Latino students and increase the participation 

of Hispanic and Latino students, Hispanic-serving school districts, and 

the Hispanic community in the programs of the Department and other 

agencies; 

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(iv) how to increase public awareness of and generate solutions for the 

educational and training challenges and equity disparities that Hispanic 

and Latino students face and the causes of these challenges; and 

(v) approaches to establish local and national partnerships with public, 

private, philanthropic, and nonprofit stakeholders to advance the mission 

and objectives of this order, consistent with applicable law. 

(c) The Commission shall periodically report to the President, through 

the Secretary and after consulting with the Executive Director, on progress 

in addressing the mission of the Commission. 

(d) The Commission shall consist of not more than 21 members appointed 

by the President. The Commission may include individuals with relevant 

experience or subject matter expertise, as well as individuals who may 

serve as representatives from a variety of sectors, including education (early 

childhood education, elementary and secondary education, higher education, 

career and technical education, and adult education), labor organizations, 

research institutions, public and private philanthropic organizations, private 

sector, nonprofit, and community-based organizations at the national, State, 

Tribal, regional, or local levels. Commission members should be able to 

provide specific insight into the lived experiences of those served by the 

Initiative, including young adults, and have diversity across the diaspora 

and the geography of the country. 

(i) The President shall designate one member of the Commission to serve 

as its Chair. The Chair, in consultation with the Executive Director, shall 

convene regular meetings of the Commission, determine the Commission 

meeting agenda, and support the work of the Commission, consistent 

with this order. 

(ii) The Commission shall meet on a regular basis, and at least twice 

a year. 

(e) The Department shall provide funding and administrative support for 

the Commission, to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations. Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation 

but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in the Government service (5 U.S.C. 5701–5707). Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee 

Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), may apply to the administration of the 

Commission, any functions of the President under that Act, except that 

of reporting to the Congress, shall be performed by the Secretary, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services. 

(f) The Commission shall terminate 2 years from the date of this order, 

unless extended by the President. 

Sec. 4. Administrative Provisions. (a) This order supersedes Executive Order 

13935 of July 9, 2020 (White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative), which 

is hereby revoked. To the extent that there are other Executive Orders 

that may conflict with or overlap with the provisions in this order, the 

provisions in this order supersede those other Executive Orders on these 

subjects. 

(b) The heads of agencies shall assist and provide information to the 

Initiative and Commission established in this order, consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Initiative 

and Commission. 

(c) Each agency shall bear its own expenses of participating in the Initiative 

established in this order. 

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed 

to impair or otherwise affect: 

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, 

or the head thereof; or 

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 

relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. 

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(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and 

subject to the availability of appropriations. 

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, 

substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party 

against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, 

employees, or agents, or any other person. 

THE WHITE HOUSE, 

September 13, 2021. 

[FR Doc. 2021–20165 

Filed 9–15–21; 8:45 am] 

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