EQUALITY

Summary

According to the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, just over 50% of Black students and two-thirds of Hispanic students attend schools that offer a full range of math and science courses (including Algebra, Biology, Calculus, and Chemistry), while more than 70% of White students have open access to these courses.^* Pathways In Education sought to investigate the public’s understanding of these disparities, asking parents across the country about diversity and the equity of opportunities afforded to students from various groups. Overall, Hispanic and Black respondents were less inclined to believe that students of color are afforded the same opportunities as their peers. Across all demographics, students who struggle emotionally were the lowest reported group to be receiving adequate support at school.

Diversity

Q. Would you describe your local schools as racially/ethnically diverse?

The majority of parents from all US regions feel their local schools are diverse, with parents from the Northeast most likely to agree. Hispanic respondents from lower income households were, on average, more likely to say that local schools are diverse. As a group, Black parents across various regions and income levels were the least likely to report a sense of diversity among students in their community.

Q. Would you describe your local schools as racially/ethnically diverse?

Opportunity

Q. Do you feel that students of color are afforded the same education opportunities as their peers?

Parents from the Western region of the US are the most likely to feel that students of color are provided the same access to educational opportunities as their peers, and parents from the Northeast region are least likely to agree. White respondents were almost twice as likely to answer affirmatively as Black respondents.

Q. Do you feel that students of color are afforded the same education opportunities as their peers?

Parents were asked whether they think schools provide enough support to the following groups of students: English Learners, students who come from low socio-economic backgrounds, students with learning disabilities, and students who struggle emotionally. Parents were most likely to feel that English Learners are getting enough support from schools, and least likely to feel students who struggle emotionally are getting the support they need.

Parents from the Midwest are more likely than those from the South to feel that students from low socio-economic backgrounds are receiving enough support.

Q. Do you think schools provide enough support to English Learners/students who come from low socio-economic backgrounds/students with learning disabilities/students who struggle emotionally?

Those from the highest-income households are most likely to say that students with specific needs are getting enough support.

Q. Do you think schools provide enough support to English Learners/students who come from low socio-economic backgrounds/students with learning disabilities/students who struggle emotionally?

White and Hispanic parents are more likely than Black parents to feel schools provide enough support to English learners, students with learning disabilities, students from low socio-economic backgrounds and students who struggle emotionally.

Q. Do you think schools provide enough support to English Learners/students who come from low socio-economic backgrounds/students with learning disabilities/students who struggle emotionally?