Public education is under attack today from those who do not believe with John Adams that “opportunities and advantages of education” should be available “in the various parts of the country, and among the different orders of the people.” Adams specified that the provision of the “opportunities and advantages of education” is a public duty, not a source of private profit, and that those opportunities and advantages should be available to everyone, not only to the privileged, and everywhere, not just in wealthy suburbs. This resource book includes demographic and educational data for each group for the nation as a whole and for each state. It also includes information by national origin. There is district data for those districts with large numbers of minority students. The data presented here shows that in general the opportunities for a good education vary with race, ethnicity and economic status. Educational opportunities for all students vary with location. The variation between states and school districts within states is striking. And almost everywhere the opportunities available to the descendants of slaves are fewer than those for others, with the exception of some American Indian tribes. This resource book is primarily intended to be of use to those in the general public interested in the education of minority students. Educators in schools, in local district offices and in state departments of education may find it useful. It may serve as a convenient reference for journalists and policy makers.

  

Sample Information from Minority Students and Public Education on comparing USA, Illinois and Chicago.

Percentages of Male Black and Male White, Non-Latino, Students at or Above Proficient in Reading, Grade 8, 2011

Jurisdiction           Percent at or Above Proficient            

Black                       White                   GAP
USA                      10%                          35%                      25 points
Illinois                   11%                          38%                      27 points
Chicago                  9%                          36%                      27 points

 

Percentages of Male Black and Male White, Non-Latino, Students at or Above Proficient in Math, Grade 8, 2011

Jurisdiction           Percent at or Above Proficient 
Black                       White                   GAP
USA                      12%                          45%                      33 points
Illinois                   10%                          46%                      36 points
Chicago                  9%                          49%                      40 points