For decades, the learning gaps between African American and white students have been attributed to systemic racism and inequitable funding.
But new research has found social issues may play a much larger role in hindering black students than previously thought.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) published a new report examining the relationship between racial achievement gaps, poverty and other social factors.
In Wisconsin, about 61% of white students are proficient in reading and 64% in math.
However, black students achieve just 18% and 14%, respectively.
“Race itself does not cause low academic achievement,” observed WILL Research Director Will Flanders. “What matters are the underlying factors that our education system too often ignores – poverty, family stability, early literacy and whether schools are using proven approaches to raise achievement.
