by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman

School districts nationwide now are preparing for next year's enrollment, and the numbers are expected to set a record of 50 million students.

According to the Washington Post, the number of school age kids will hit an all- time high of 54 million by the year 2017.

Latino students in 2006, the latest year for which there are statistics, comprised 20% of the school population, representing an 11% rise since the 1980s.

In all, 43% of the nation's public school students are minorities, and while the achievement gap between black and white students has narrowed for 4th graders, it remains unchanged at 8th grade.

Nationwide, dropout rates are lower for whites, blacks and Hispanics than they were in 1972. However, in large urban areas they’re shockingly high-- 45% in Philadelphia and 50% in Los Angeles.

While money doesn't solve all problems, more funding for small classes, smaller schools, computers and up-to-date books would certainly help achievement. Governor Rendell’s proposed education budget shows real understanding of the need in Pennsylvania.