Nov. 12: California's Gender Gaps
This week, the Council of the Great City Schools released a report detailing just how far behind African-American males were. Twelve percent of African-American boys in fourth-grade tested proficient in reading, whereas 38 percent of white fourth-grade boys were proficient.
The same discrepancies held in math and other grade levels. In many cases, African-American boys not living in poverty tested worse than white student who qualified for free- or reduced-price lunches. In higher education, African-American males made up 5 percent of the population.
A similar gender gap persists in California, where female students are outpacing males. More females graduate from high school. More graduate having completed the necessary A-G coursework required for entry into the California State University or University of California system. More enroll in a CSU or UC campus.
The ratios grow even more when looking only at African Americans, Latinos and American Indians, three groups largely underrepresented in the state's higher education system.
For a quick look at the data and charts, download a PDF version. You can also read our Themes in the News for a more indepth view at this issue.
SOURCE: UCLA IDEA