WASHINGTON (AP) --The White House and leading Hispanic organizations have teamed up to try to improve the educational performances of the largest U.S. minority group.

Partners in Hispanic Education, announced Wednesday, includes the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

Over the next several months, the group will convene meetings in six cites or regions: San Diego, California; Miami, Florida; El Paso, Texas; Las Cruces, New Mexico; Tucson, Arizona; Detroit, Michigan; and New York City.

Each event will feature a town hall meeting, financial aid seminars and other workshops for parents, students, teachers and business leaders. The goal is to raise expectations for Hispanic learners, involve parents in their children's education and improve students' preparation for college.

One in six children in the United States is Hispanic, and by 2020 the number is expected to be almost one in four. This growth comes as the federal government, through the No Child Left Behind Law, is requiring schools to improve English fluency and achievement among Hispanics.