Black Student Achievement Gap
Here’s a stark reality: despite making advancements in key educational benchmarks, the average Black student in the U.S. remains roughly two years behind the average white student. This disparity, known as the Black Student Achievement Gap, is evident as Black students routinely score lower on math and reading tests. Additionally, graduation rates are below the national average, and Black students are less likely to enroll in and complete post-secondary education. These education disparities are driven and sustained by structural inequity.
Resources, Not Ability, Drive the Gap
The Black student achievement gap has little to do with intellect or capability and everything to do with access to resources and opportunity. For instance, socioeconomic factors play an outsized role in shaping educational outcomes. Moreover, local property taxes are a primary source of K-12 funding, meaning school resources are directly tied to wealth. Since Black families are more likely to live in concentrated poverty due to historical practices like redlining and discriminatory lending, Black K-12 students are 3.5 times more likely to attend underfunded districts.
Limited Access Leads to Limited Opportunities
Additionally, Black youth have less access to advanced classes, which makes it even harder for them to pursue higher education. While a degree doesn’t guarantee economic mobility, it significantly helps. For example, workers with only a high school diploma earn 86% less than those with a degree. Furthermore, lower income limits housing choices, which increases the likelihood that Black students will be raised in underfunded districts, continuing the cycle of inequity.
Inequity Is Preventable
However, closing the achievement gap requires looking beyond academics. A student’s environment greatly impacts their ability to engage in school. Factors such as safety, housing quality, food access, and family stability all play a role in determining educational outcomes. Thus, academic success is shaped not just by what happens inside the classroom but also by life outside of school.
A Whole-Student Approach Is Key
Transforming community conditions is essential to improving outcomes for Black students. Schools continue to be central to shaping young people’s futures. Beyond education, schools serve as voting sites, shelters, and health centers—trusted institutions deeply embedded in community life.
Collaborating for Change
By redefining the role of schools, local leaders can work with communities to promote whole-person development, including:
- Strong academics
- Career-connected learning
- Social capital
- Personal support
- Civic engagement
These five factors drive social and economic mobility, helping students build skills, networks, and pathways to success.
Building an Equitable Future
Creating equity requires cross-sector collaboration. The future of millions of Black families depends on breaking silos, sharing resources, and building collective capacity. Together, we can move beyond imagining a world where Black students thrive—we can build it.
