In the wake of a new Education Week report on graduation rates among Latino students, the newspaper took a special look at the particular challenges young Latinas face throughout their education careers. 

While Latinas are still more likely to graduate high school than their male counterparts, they still trail behind other women of color and White women in educational achievement. About 17 percent of Latinas ages 25-29 have a bachelor's degrees, compared to 43 percent of White women and 23 percent of Black women.

According to the 2009 study by the National Women's Law Center and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, "Listening to Latinas," some of the factors influencing young Latinas include poverty, discrimination, immigration status and limited English proficiency. Cultural expectations can also hinder a student's achievement, Education Week writes: 

"A cultural emphasis on loyalty to family also can play a role. Latinas may be expected to take on additional duties as caregivers, such as helping to watch younger children or aid elderly family members. They may be expected to live with their parents until they are married, making it difficult to leave home to go away to college."

Click here to check out Ed Week's article, especially for the personal interviews with college-aspiring young Latinas!