Addressing Racial Inequity in American Schools: Persistent Challenges and Legal Perspectives
Inequity remains a serious problem in our educational programs. The Cornell Legal Information Institute defines inequity as “injustice or unfairness.” Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, inequity is not the same thing as inequality. A system could potentially be equal while still not being fully “equitable.”
For example, imagine that the government created a neutral standardized test. All students are given equal time to complete an identical exam. However, only some families may be able to afford an expensive supplemental exam preparation course. The students who got the extra training would have an advantage on the test. This type of system could be viewed as equal but not equitable.
Racial Inequality is a Long-Standing Problem for U.S. Schools
Most Americans are generally aware of the long history of racial inequality in our educational system. Prior to the Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, schools in wide swaths of the country were racially segregated. The country operated on a so-called “separate but equal” doctrine that allowed state and local governments to outright segregate schools.
In Brown v. Board of Education, the nation’s highest court determined that “separate but equal” was a farce. It was simply a contradiction in terms. The reality was that African American students were receiving far inferior educational opportunities. While the Supreme Court barred segregation in 1954, it took decades for some schools to be integrated. De facto segregation still exists to this day.
Inequity May Persist Even When Some Things are Made “Equal”
It is important to reemphasize that equality and equity are not identical. This has been a serious challenge for the U.S. educational system—as barriers to equal treatment slowly come down, barriers to equitable treatment sometimes remain in place. In effect, progress ends up being a lot slower and far less comprehensive than it should be.
According to a recent report from the Brookings Institute, many African Americans, Native American, and Latino students still struggle to access fair and equitable educational opportunities. In some cases, the inequity starts at the pre-school level and persists all of the way through college and even graduate school.
Many Students are Still Treated Differently Based on their Racial Background
The reality is that racial disparities at schools throughout the United States remain far too common. According to data published by the American Psychological Association (APA), the high school graduation rate for white students nationwide is 87 percent. Yet, for African American students, the high school graduation rate is just 73 percent. A similar gap is reflected in a broad range of educational statistics. The data is evidence of a persistent racial inequity in our educational system.
Get Help from an Education Discrimination Attorney
Sadly, racial inequity in the American educational system remains a serious issue. All students deserve fair and equal opportunities in their educational environment. If you have any specific questions or concerns about racial inequity in U.S. schools, please do not hesitate to get in touch with an experienced education discrimination lawyer.
