Nov 1, 2024 Story by: Editor
A recent analysis highlights the ongoing disparities faced by Black students in the education system. The data reveals that Black students, on average, have lower test scores, graduation rates, and college enrollment rates compared to their peers. Additionally, they experience higher discipline rates and chronic absenteeism. While often labeled as an “achievement gap,” SEF research director Max Altman points out that this term misrepresents the issue.
“The outcome gaps that we see, which are real, are caused by opportunity gaps. These are systemic issues in the education system that simply present some students with more opportunity to learn than others,” Altman explained during a media teleconference.
Persistent Segregation in Metro Atlanta and Beyond
The report, titled Miles to Go: The State of Education for Black Students in America, underscores that despite efforts to desegregate schools since the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling, racial segregation remains prevalent in U.S. public schools. The analysis highlights Georgia as one of the ten states with the highest levels of segregation for Black students, with 84% attending schools where over half of the population comprises students of color. Furthermore, 47% of Black students in Georgia go to schools where more than 90% of the students are people of color.
Altman noted the importance of this finding, emphasizing that predominantly Black schools are often under-resourced due to historical discriminatory practices, like redlining, which relegated Black Americans to areas with lower property values, thereby reducing local tax revenue for schools. “This continues today… We see echoes of these resource gaps that have simply continued,” he added.
Inequities Across Early, K-12, and Higher Education
The report also examines disparities beyond K-12 schooling, finding that only 15% of Black children are enrolled in high-quality early child care programs, compared to 24% of white children. Additionally, college enrollment rates for Black students remain lower than for their counterparts.
The Need for More Black Educators
The report highlights a significant need for more Black teachers in schools. While Black students represent 14.9% of the student population in U.S. public schools, only 6.1% of teachers are Black. In Georgia, almost 40% of public school students are Black, yet only about 25% of teachers are Black.
Studies indicate that Black students with at least one Black teacher throughout their K-12 years are more likely to graduate from high school and pursue college. Additionally, a diverse teaching staff is associated with improved outcomes for all students.
Policy Changes for Greater Equity
Altman suggested that policy reforms, especially in funding, could help address these disparities. For example, Georgia lawmakers have long debated adding a “poverty weight” to the state’s school funding formula, which would allocate more resources to schools in economically disadvantaged areas. Such funding could increase access to advanced courses and other educational resources. The SEF report notes that Georgia spends $14,660 per pupil, which falls below the national average of $17,280 per pupil. Source: AJC
